Smoking Area - Enamel sign - Enamel, Iron

Vintage Bulgarian Enamel Smoking Area Sign (30x15 cm)

An authentic enamel sign from Bulgaria’s communist era (1960s–1980s), produced not for public sale but specifically for use in state-run institutions, factories, and workplaces. These signs were commissioned and distributed under government direction, serving as official fixtures in the highly regulated environments of the time.

This example, marked with bold red Cyrillic text “Място за пушене” (“Smoking Area”), designated where smoking was permitted within a factory floor, office, or industrial complex. Unlike commercial signage, pieces like this were strictly functional tools of workplace organization — a reflection of the centralized control and discipline of socialist society.

The four mounting holes remain intact and in excellent condition, making it easy to display while preserving its authenticity.

Measuring 30x15 cm, this piece stands out not only for its visual appeal but also for its cultural significance. It offers a rare glimpse into everyday life under socialism, where even a simple “Smoking Area” sign was produced by the state for official use.