Fish trade sign?

This big (about 30 inches long), three-dimensional tin fish appeared today at a local antique shop. I can’t decide if it’s an older trade sign, or a newer decorative piece, and Google Lens isn’t showing anything similar. It appears to be handmade, and does have some damage (bent fins, flaking paint, etc). What do you think?

 

I like the carved staff.....
if older I would think the fish would be wood..... with a slogan or co name attached to it..

 

kinda like these......... imo

 

I'd think it was older too.

Debora

 

If it is older, it’s not going to be from the 1800’s. More like early-mid 20th century, I’d think. Maybe it hung under sign with the company name? Or, maybe it was made last week, in China!

 

This is about the closest match I’ve managed to find:

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/early-mid-20th-c-painted-tin-fish-trade-sign-71-c-22c434680d

 

I'd buy it in a second just to hang on my porch!!!

 

similar....but the detail is older and richer......!

 

I could be taking out my ___ on this one as it's purely a feel, but the painting style being brushed and blended like that makes me think vintage. The modern stuff I see is usually airbrush for expediency with not much, if any, blending...just layering.

 

more going on than just the paint........ imo

 

more metal work , more color , more realism.... more craftsmanship...

 

@Rayo56 ...buy the one above..... it's superior...and older !

 

Oh, I definitely like this one better, but not all artists make pieces to the same style or level.

 

yer right...but back in the day..... quality...and craftsmanship on everyday items....was at a higher level than in more recent times..... ttbomk...

just look at it..... it looks like you could fillet it and eat it !!

 

It's definitely beautiful.

It looks like the raised scales and half circles (gills?) past the eye are similar on both.

 

look closer.... the blue one looks stamped out to me.... the silver one has so much more hand work... imo

 

Is that broken plaster on the fin?

 

No, just flaking paint.

 

I was just thinking about this sort of thing...............