18th century lead fire insurance plaque
18th century lead fire insurance plaque
7126
A rare 18th century lead Sun Life fire insurance plaque of a blazing sun, circa 1760.
Fire insurance plaques were metal signs attached to the exterior of buildings in the 18th and 19th centuries to indicate that the property was insured by a specific fire insurance company.
These plaques, often displaying the insurer's emblem or crest, served both as advertising and as practical markers for fire brigades. Before the establishment of municipal fire services, many insurance companies maintained their own private fire brigades, which would respond only to fires at buildings displaying their company's plaque.
The plaques thus became important symbols of protection and status, reflecting the early development of organised fire insurance and firefighting systems.
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