September Birthstone: the Sumptuous Sapphire

Sumptuous Sapphires...look out for these stunning pieces, and more, soon to come on our website!

The cool, clear blue of a crisp September night sky calls to mind the striking richness of a quality Sapphire, birthstone of September babies.

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, which can be found in any color seen in the sky, except red, which is designated as ruby. All other hues including yellow, black, white, orange, pink, brown and even an orange-pink type called padparadsha, which means “lotus flower”, are considered Sapphires.

Named after the Greek word “sapphirus”, meaning blue, Sapphire, of course, exists in all shades of blue. Purply cornflower is a popular color but the most prized stones are a clear, deep royal blue.

One of the hardest minerals, second only to diamond, sapphires are durable gemstones ideal for setting into jewellery; highly prized since ancient times for their beauty, strength and symbolic significance.

Historically, this gem was thought to protect against evil, envy and poisoning, and when ground into a powder and consumed, to cure colic, rheumatism and mental illness, and to strengthen eyesight.

Some ancient civilizations even believed that the world was actually an enormous sapphire, which tinted the sky blue with its reflection. This legend, as well as the belief that the Ten Commandments were inscribed upon tablets made of Sapphire, has given September’s birthstone a royal place among gemstones.

Indeed, Sapphire is prominent among the British Crown Jewels, and Prince Charles chose it as the engagement stone for Princess Diana.

Long considered symbolic of wisdom and purity, a gift of Sapphire represents truth, honesty, sincerity and faithfulness. This tradition makes them perfect for engagement or friendship rings to be given to a well-loved companion.

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Posted in Birthstones, Engagement Rings, Gemstones, Gift Ideas, Jewellery, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King | Leave a comment

Kennedy Miniseries Picks Props from Toronto Antiques on King

Last we heard, filming is still ongoing in Toronto for the History Channel’s forthcoming miniseries The Kennedys, slated for broadcast in 2011. Greg Kinnear as former U.S. president John F. Kennedy, and Katie Holmes as first lady Jacqueline Kennedy are on location in the Toronto area, and just to add to the buzz, we wanted to give you a glimpse of a few pieces from our collections that were chosen as props for the drama series!

Items from Toronto Antiques on King chosen as props for the dramatic miniseries, The Kennedys.

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Posted in Celebrities, Film & Television Props, History, Television Shows, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King | Leave a comment

Toronto Antiques on King Goes 3D!

In the much anticipated CBC presentation of the first Canadian 3D television broadcast, a documentary called “Queen Elizabeth in 3D”, airing on September 20th at 7pm, our very own Alex Stairs will make a brief guest appearance to explain a bit about stereoscopes, the original 3D image viewers.

CBC crew members arrived at our store last Thursday and filmed a byte or two, showing viewers how to use a stereoscope, and looking at some stereographs of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.  So what’s the connection between Queens and 3D? Queen Victoria was quite a proponent of the stereoscope and its subsequent evolution into moving pictures once it caught her eye and the attention of the world when it was displayed at the 1851 London Crystal Palace. And in allowing herself to be filmed on occasion, she did her part in popularizing photography in its various forms and helping to encourage the development of mass production and distribution of images in the 19th century.

Stereograph of Queen Victoria

A stereograph is simply a simultaneous double-image of the same subject that, when viewed through a stereoscope, appears to be one three-dimensional photograph. Utilizing the science of our own three-dimensional eyesight, stereographs are made by a single camera with two lenses set approximately two-and-a-half inches apart- about the same distance as that between the eyes. The viewer places the stereograph in the holder on the stereoscope and then looks through the two lenses, moving the holder back or forth until the single three-dimensional image is in focus.

Stereoscope showing stereograph slide of Queen Victoria

Stereographs of Royalty and Royal Business were as popular as images of world events and were an early form of the public Royal-watching that continues today through television and print media.

Given this pastime’s current popularity and the recent explosion of 3D feature films, the CBC stated that it hopes to bring the best of both worlds together with “Queen Elizabeth in 3D”, appealing to younger viewers as well as an older generation full of fans of the Queen.

The program will consist of new 3D footage following Her Majesty on her June Canadian visit and material shot at Buckingham Palace, alongside archival colour 3D footage from 1953. To view the show, two million pairs of 3D glasses will be made available free at Canada Post outlets in early September on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a thank you from CBC for participating in the program, Toronto Antiques on King was given 100 pairs of glasses to give to our customers, so drop by the store on or after September 7th to pick up your pair and try out a stereoscope! Just be sure to get home for 7 pm on September 20th, and enjoy the show!

Get your 3D glasses to watch the show!

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Posted in Events, History, Media, Photographs, Television Shows, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King, Victorian | Leave a comment

House and Home November Issue Features Holiday Dining Ideas Inspired by Swedish Gustavian Design

This year’s holiday issue of Canadian House and Home Magazine is coming to newsstands in November and we wanted to give you a preview of the cool dinnerware from Toronto Antiques on King that you’ll find inside!

Pieces in light, icy blues, greens and metallics were chosen for a feature inspired by the theme of Swedish Gustavian design and the sparkling wintery atmosphere it creates.

In general, Swedish interior design style is characterized by a look that is light, airy and elegant, and this is epitomized in Gustavian design, a style named for King Gustav III who ruled Sweden in the late 18th century. He had a passion for the neo-classical styles prominent at that time in continental Europe and combined elements of these styles in his own royal palaces in Sweden.

Over time, the Gustavian interpretation of a neo-classical interior spread throughout the broader Swedish society and has been recognized as a distinct interior style in its own right; a look that is still popular today.

Versatile enough to feature classical, country and contemporary elements together; Gustavian style usually features white neo-classical furnishings set against a very light, interior background, matched with pale supporting hues like soft blues, grays and greens and an important touch of sparkle with silver, crystal or gold gilding as an accent.

These desirable attributes of Swedish Gustavian design would make a gorgeous winter wonderland theme for your holiday dinner table, and with this beautiful selection of pieces from Toronto Antiques on King, we expect to see delicious icy glamour on the pages of House and Home this November, so check it out!

Blue Glass Soup Tureen, Blue Falconware Dish, Silver Ladle and Scallop Edge Serving Spoons

Victorian Pickle Crewets, Silver and Blue Glass Cow Butter Dish, Silver and Blue Glass Salt Cellars with Mother of Pearl Spoons, Engraved Hungarian Silverware, Thomas "Bavaria" Pattern China, Jean Luce "German Gold" Pattern China

Thomas "Bavaria" Pattern China, Jean Luce "German Gold" Pattern China, Lenox Espresso Cup and Saucer, Sterling and Enamel Spoon Set

Davenport "Ribbon" Pattern Platter, Sandwich Glass Opaline Candlesticks, Jean Luce "German Gold" Pattern China, Engraved Hungarian Silverware, Lenox Espresso Cup and Saucer Set with Sterling and Enamel Spoon

Solid Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl

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Posted in House & Home Magazine, Interior Design & Decorating, Magazines, Photo Shoots, Photographs, Silver, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King, holiday | Leave a comment

Moustache Cups: A Brief History

Hey folks! Here’s a quick history lesson for you, all about Moustache Cups!

Moustache Cups were invented in the mid 1800’s by an English potter named Harvey Adams. In those Victorian times, most men had impressive moustaches, and many men waxed or even dyed their moustaches to keep them groomed and curled and looking fabulous. And of course, they drank tea. So, what happened was wax would melt, and dye would run and gentlemen would get embarrassed.

So, Mr. Adams created a “moustache guard”, a moustache-shaped ledge that went across the cup, with an opening in the middle to sip the tea through. This allowed the gentleman to drink his tea and keep his moustachioed upper lip dry. It goes without saying that this item became very popular, and eventually made its way from England and Europe all the way to America. Of late, they have become sought-after collectors’ items. Now you’re curious. You want to see some moustache cups, don’t you? We’ve added a bunch to our website, but here’s a few to pique your interest and get your moustache cup collection started!

Japanese Fine Porcelain Moustache Cup

German Bamboo Motif Moustache Cup

English Fine Bone China Bow Motif Moustache Cup

Belleek Shamrock Pattern Moustache Cup

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Posted in Antiques, History, Pottery, Tea, Teacups & Accessories, Victorian | Leave a comment