Since the Middle Ages, craftsmen united in guilds, such as the bricklayers, carpenters, pewterers, bakers, butchers, brewers and many others had symbolised their concept of professional union in the form of guild signs.
These usually hung above the guild tables in the taverns and were often elaborately designed coats of arms.
Other guild signs were the guild chests in which everything important to the guild was kept, or imposing, large, usually magnificently designed guild mugs and pitchers, which were only used on highly official, ceremonial occasions.