Summering with the Eatons

This is how the Eaton family enjoyed summer.

An old family photograph of the Eaton family

Posted in Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

Georgian Jewellery: A History

Ever since that last Art Deco post I’ve been dying to write more about the history of jewellery, starting with the Georgian period. Georgian refers to jewellery made between 1714 to 1839 in England. Jewellery made during this time but outside of England is often also called Georgian because of the aesthetic similarities.

We have candle light to thank for the prevalence of diamonds. That’s right, candle light. In the early 18th Century, the manufacturers of candles designed a longer-lasting and brighter candle and thus, the elite developed a night life (or is that night light?). Lavish balls and evening parties made wearing diamonds, which were much to fancy for day time wear, acceptable and commonplace.

Following this phenomenon, the diamond industry flourished. Georgian jewellers typically set diamonds in closed back settings, cut diamonds in old mine cut or rose cut styles and almost always set the diamonds in sterling silver rather than yellow gold (white gold and platinum were not yet options); Georgian jewellers felt that the white metal complimented the diamonds appropriately.

All of these specific aesthetic considerations made Georgian jewellery distinctive. Because of their cut and setting, diamonds in Georgian jewellery look unlike diamonds today. Consider, for example, this Georgian ring.

One Closed Back Georgian Diamond Ring

While not at balls, Georgian women wore day time jewellery such as garnets, agate and paste.

Georgian Garnet Ring

Posted in Estate Jewellery, Gemstones, Georgian Jewellery, History, Vintage Jewellery | Comments closed

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Posted in Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

Blue Willow: A Love Story

The story is so familiar that it could have been written by Shakespeare’s Chinese twin. It is Romeo and Juliet, if Juliet’s name was Kwang-se, her father was a Manderin and instead of dead the lovers become birds. The story involves unrequited love, family feuds, betrayal, elopement and a happy ending–all right below your dinner!

The beautiful blue willow china pattern was created first in 1790 by Thomas Tuner at Caughley Pottery Works in Shropshire, England. Turner designed it to look like ancient Chinese art. Elegant for its blue and white design, this dinner pattern also reads like a romance novel.

A Mandarin Chinese emperor, Tso Ling, lived in a pagoda under an apple tree very near a famous, drooping willow tree. Tso Ling arranged for his daughter, Kwang-se, to be married to an old and wealthy merchant. A woman with her own mind, Kwang-se fell in love instead with her father’s poor clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea, but the emperor soon caught them. Right before Tso Ling was to have the lovers executed, the gods turned Kwang-se and the clerk into turtledoves. They will be eternally gazing at each other at the top of the design, right above Tso Ling’s pagoda.

More mashed potatoes anyone?

Posted in Antiques, Blue Willow, China, Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

Modern Fairy Tale

I wasn’t in the store when Kate and Kyle first came to shop. I was at an early-morning social media marketing workshop. After a morning of discussing SEO and ROI, I wearily walked into Toronto Antiques on King, latte in hand, and I quickly noticed that I had walked into a modern, real-life fairy tale. There weren’t any pumpkins-turned-carriages but Kate and Kyle’s quiet happiness had subtly turned the whole store into a place where good things happen to good people, where dreams really do come true, and where people live happily after after.

 

Kate’s ring on her finger

Traveling from Calgary, Kyle brought Kate to see the Cynthia Findlay’s collection of vintage diamond engagement rings. Kate found a ring that she loved and then Kate and Kyle went to have lunch.  I could never replicate Kate’s whit or personable nature so I’ll just give you the abridged version: Kate and Kyle sat down and ordered. An avid foodie eager to dig into her bowl mussels, it was strange to Kate when Kyle excused himself to the bathroom for 15 minutes. Where did he Go?… Kyle ran into Toronto Antiques on King and breathlessly said “you know why I’m here,” and then, “She thinks I’m in the bathroom.” I packaged Kate’s ring as fast as I could and Kyle ran (literally) back to lunch.

 

Kate in her Kitchen

They got engaged the following evening and once upon a time in a land far-far away, Kate and Kyle lived happily ever after.

Feeling inspired? Check out Cynthia Findlay’s collection of engagement rings cynthiafindlay.com

 

Posted in Art Deco, Bridal Jewellery & Accessories, Cynthia Findlay, Engagement Rings, Vintage Jewellery | Comments closed

House and Home ‘Makeovers’ Contest

Whenever we rent props to design magazines we are both excited and a tad confused. Decor magazines tend to do things waaaaay in advance. For example, last November House & Home magazine was renting stuff for their Christmas issue, “leaving it to the last minute” we all thought, until they told us it was the Christmas 2011 issue. In the middle of January a stylist will come in and rent props for a summer edition and after an hour of talking about summer colours and recipes I invariably feel a bit of culture shock when I have to realize, again, that it is still January. If these time warps are hard on me, think about the stylists, writers and designers at House & Home! I am in awe of their flexibility in time and space.

So, when House and Home stylists rented props for this coming August issue last month it was business as usual. Below are shots of everything they rented. Now we wait in anticipation until August to see what they used and how they used it. It’s very exciting. How do you think they used the props below? How did this inventory work their ways into design stories?

We’re going to hold a contest for all our followers: The person who correctly guesses what props House &Home ultimately uses in their the issue (appearing in the August 2011 “Makeovers” Special Issue Publication) will win a year long subscription to House and Home.

How’s that for a teaser?


Posted in Gift Ideas, House & Home Magazine, Magazines, Media, Photo Shoots, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

Invitation to a Royal Tea Party

Cynthia Findlay cordially invites you to a royal wedding tea party. Come sip some royal tea, watch the wedding and news coverage on a big screen and wear a royal-inspired hat (not required, but highly recommended!).

While you’re here, don’t forget that the Cynthia Findlay Collection is selling Kate Middleton-style rings in a variety of sizes. They are $100 each and the proceeds go to Make a Wish Foundation in your name (or a person’s name of your choosing; they make great gifts). These rings are perfect mementos of this historic event. If you can’t make the party, keep in mind that these faux rings make great mothers day presents.

When: Friday April 29th, 1-5 pm
Where: Cynthia Findlay Antiques
416-260-9057

cynthiafindlay.com

Posted in Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed