highly desirable late 19th century all original american antique victorian era folk art dentist trade sign possibly from new york city or boston. the artist or wood carver has not been identified. likely fabricated between 1885-90. the finely carved three-root tooth is comprised of solid wood (likely pine) with an all over crazed white paint finish. the maxillary molar contains three nicely shaped roots, that are break from repair, cracks and/or breakage. the crown contains a single bronze ring for hanging purposes. the white paint finish is either original or a very early repaint. typical surface wear consistent with age. the indoor and/or exterior trade or occupational sign took many forms in early america. when education was a privilege and literacy rare, the ideal trade sign immediately caught the attention of a passerby and, because of its design, was totally self-explanatory. folk artists, sometimes including itinerant portrait painters, created signs that bore pictures that visually explained the name of the establishment or the services to be found within. these signs usually carried pictures or lettering on both sides and were hung from a tall post at right angles to the road, so as to be visible to travelers approaching from either direction. three-dimensional carved trade signs were often produced in the same workshops as figureheads and other ship decorations and usually displayed the same broad-planed carving style that typified american figureheads. the introduction of electric signs, which could advertise a business in the dark, led to the steady decline of the carved trade signs used throughout the 19th century. measures 23 1/2 x 9 inches.