The signs, fitted at four points just south of the city centre, carry the slogan Welcome to Antiques Quarter together with the chandelier logo - the nationally-recognised symbol for antiques.
Last year, a fundraising campaign using the crowdfunding format collected £17,500 to spend on the four directional signs plus banners, murals and information boards to highlight the growing number of antiques, vintage and other related enterprises around Abbeydale Road, Broadfield Road and Queens Road. One is sited close to Sheffield Auction Gallery just off Chesterfield Road.
Artists are now being invited to share their ideas for other parts of the 'Signing the Quarter' project.
Own Identity
More than 150 independent businesses are represented in this small area. The idea for creating a designated antiques quarter with its own identity was pioneered by Hendrika Stephens, now chair of the Sheffield Antiques Quarter group.
"The area had been informally known as an antiques quarter for many years, so it just needed formalising. Sheffield council were very supportive and it all went from there," she said.
"We are delighted as this is a massive step for us and one we have been working towards for three years. This signage marks the permanency of the quarter as a serious destination for the city now and for the future".
Local councillor Leigh Bramall said: "Sheffield Antiques Quarter is an excellent example of how a group of like-minded people can come together and make a real difference. This cluster of businesses has existed for many years but lacked a profile or marketing.
"Now, thanks to banners, public art, and the new signs, the quarter has a more easily defined identity which can only serve to raise its profile."
The Sheffield Antiques Quarter group say they will soon be launching a magazine devoted to "retro, vintage, arts and antiques in Sheffield and beyond". AQ Magazine will initially be online with a view to the production of a printed copy sometime this year.
