Winston Churchill Recently Discovered

An active Winston Churchill enthusiast came to Toronto for a Chuchill association dinner and discovered Cynthia Findlay's Antiques.  He couldn't help but fall in love with a figure of Winston Churchill in Bulldog form by Royal Doulton.  The whimsical Royal Doulton bulldog figurine featured a top hat and Churchill's signature navy and white polka dot bow tie.  This tough character also held a cigar between his teeth to emulate the tenacious former British Prime Minister.

Churchill was considered a Bulldog and many of these desktop figurines were made in his image.  They became even more popular when they made their way into the James Bond film franchise as desktop ornaments on M's desk beginning in the 1940s.  The 007 version named 'Jack' sported variations of the Union Jack flag on his back and represented England.  A specialty version was recently created with extra 'damage' as a tongue in cheek joke after (spoiler alert) the MI6 headquarters were destroyed in 'Spectre'.

Although the top hat sporting bulldog has gone to a new home you can still find several versions of the Churchhill and Union Jack Bulldogs from Royal Doulton in store at 284 King St. W. by clicking here.

Victorian Acrostic Rings

Find out about Victorian Acrostic Rings here!

Codes, puzzles, secret messages, personalized jewellery... We've become obsessed with the idea of wearing and sending personalized messages, inside jokes and 'text speak'. What you may not know is that this idea of hidden messages in jewellery actually has a history dating back to the end of the Georgian and beginning of the Victorian period.  Jewellers used the first letter of gemstones to create words, commemorate important dates and share inside jokes between the giver and receiver of these rings.  These were called Victorian Acrostics. 

The unique combination of gemstones became so popular during the Victorian era that people began to recognize and attempt to read one another's ring messages.  The most popular rings spelled out 'adore', 'regard' and 'dearest'. The first ring in this style was created by Jean Baptiste Mellerio for Marie Antoinette whose ring spelt out j'adore. Another notable figure, Napolean Bonaparte, decked both himself and his wives in rings that used this system to commemorate import dates and events in his life. Versions of this code were created with stones on different rings for stacking, on bracelets so that longer words could be written and on brooches.

Come in to Cynthia Findlay's to see our collection of Victorian Dearest and Regard rings, or to see us about having your own message made into jewellery for someone special.  Don't you just Lapus - Opal - Variscite - Emerald that idea?

Happy Antique & Vintage Mother's Day Shopping

Mother. Mom. Mammy. Ahm. Majke. Ma. Matre. Mutter. Maman. Mommy.

Regardless of how you address 'Mother', every translation means Love. This Mother's Day give the mom in your life a gift that she'll truly love, something as individual and rare as she is. We've made it easy for you with the vintage mothers day guide.

Our Favourite Suggestions (Mother's Day Gift Guide Link):

Vanity - Sterling hand mirrors. Lovely on top of a dressing table, a sentimental reminder of her own mother or as a reflection of her inner and outer beauty.

Sterling and Crystal Containers - Perfect for her vanity table or bathroom these containers can be filled with jewellery, makeup or scent essentials. As an added bonus why not pick up a piece that's already monogrammed with an 'M' for 'Mom'.

Jewellery - One can never have enough jewellery. We've picked out a few favorites that are unique and stunning, but won't break the bank.

Eternity Bands - Your mom will love these.

Compacts - Purse sized daily reminders that her family loves her.

Sterling Tea Strainers - Who doesn't enjoy the idea of tea and cookies with mom or grandma? Make tea time into a fancy party with a beautifullyengraved vintage tea strainer.

View Full Tea Sets Here

For all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Stepmothers, Aunts and Motherly figures in our lives: Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for your love and support. 

We appreciate you today and always.