The Loonie Is How Old?

On the day before Canada's 150th Birthday we celebrate the Birthday of another Canadian icon: the Loonie. June 30th, 2017 marks the 30th year since the Loonie entered circulation in 1987.

This iconic, brass plated steel coin was introduced to phase out the dollar bill in Canada and became affectionately known as the Loonie because of The design of the Common Loon that it features. The name 'Loonie' was so popular that the Canadian Mint legally secured rights to the name in 2006.

The Loon has become a Canadian symbol thanks to the design by Robert Ralph Carmichael, but the dollar almost displayed a very different image. The original design for the Loonie featured a French explorer and an Indigenous man in a canoe. On the way to production the plates disappeared and out of fear of counterfeiting a new design was chosen for the Canadian dollar coin.

The Loon is a majestic water bird that mainly lives in Northern Canada and Northerly parts of the United States. These black and white beauties are diving birds that live off fish and crustaceans. The Loon's sight aids in their underwater hunting so they prefer to live on clear lakes such as in the Muskokas. The beautiful, plaintive cry of the Loon can often be heard echoing across lakes in Canada's cottage country.

Loons have often been seen as a romantic bird because they take a single partner to mate with, co-incubate their eggs and both parents take responsibility for the 1-2 chicks born each season. If a female loon loses her mate she may eventually take another partner during her up to 30 year lifespan.

A majestic and noble symbol of the Canadian North, the Loon can be found in many collectible ways in addition to the Loonie. Carved wooden loons are popular choices for the cottage chic look. Loon paintings make a lovely addition to the Canadian household. To shop our selection of Vintage Loon themed items come by our storefront at 284 King St W.

Happy 30th Birthday Loonie! And a Happy 150th Birthday to you Canada!

For some other Great Canadian ideas check out our Canadian Collection by clicking here.

Uma Therman's Stunning 19th Century Amethyst Rivière Necklace

In honor of Uma Therman's stunning 19th Century Amethyst Rivière necklace that sparkled on the red carpet of the 71st Annual Tony Awards on June 11th we decided to take a look at this timeless necklace style.

Wondering what a rivière is? The Rivière necklace received it's name from the French word for River, because the faceted gems of this necklace flow gracefully around the neck of the wearer.  Stones in a Rivière necklace are individually set and often graduating in size.  Rivière necklaces are typically shorter fitting necklaces ranging from 14-16 inches in length.  When the Rivière style was first developed in the Late 17th-Early 18th century the stones were set with closed backs, as the style became more popular this was adapted to open settings to allow more light and enhance the smoothly flowing, shining river effect.  Stones set in a Rivière necklace are the same shape and the same size (unless there is a slight graduation to the center of the necklace), and on some of the more ornate examples a pendant hangs in the center.

The rivière is a timeless setting that has been popular long after the Georgian period of its invention, and Uma Therman's outfit Sunday is a great example of how the Riviere's classic lines dazzle and enchant even as part of modern outfits.  We were inspired to capture images of some of our favorite Rivière necklaces from the Cynthia Findlay collection.

For more info click here.

Happy Antique & Vintage Father's Day Shopping

With Father's Day around the corner we thought it would be fun to find 10 interesting facts about this holiday celebrating the wonderful men in our lives! We've also found a few fun fact based gift ideas to inspire you in your Father's Day shopping.

1 - Father's Day is currently celebrated in over 50 countries around the World.  

For the Globe-trotter in your life you'll find a terrific selection of globes.

2 - Father's Day was Invented in 1910 by Sonora Dodd of Spokane Washington in honour of her father who raised his children as a single parent.  Dodd chose June 19th in honour of her father's birthday. 

Men's rings.

3 - Male sea horses carry the babies of their female counterparts.  

4 - The oldest first time father was Ramjit Raghar whose firstborn daughter was born after his 94th birthday.

If your 94 year old father figure is moving a little slower than Ramjit he might appreciate a handsome wooden cane for Father's Day.

5 - The necktie is the most popular Father's Day gift to date!

 A fashionable add on to this Father's Day classic is a handsome tie clip/tie bar.

6 - In a 2015 survey it was found that 1 in 10 stay at home parents were fathers.  As women become more active at work men are stepping up to the role of primary caregiver.

Wishing the Happiest of Father's Days to all the important men in our lives.

Click Here To Shop Our Father's Day Gift Guide.