With the high success of television shows like American Pickers and Storage Wars, antique picking has never been so trendy. Put that together with the recent popularity of man caves, customized all-male rooms inside the home, and there’s little wonder why mantiques are all the rage.
“Mantique” is a recently coined, catchy colloquialism that refers to antique merchandise specifically catering to men.
“To me, a mantique is a cool vintage piece that will make a statement because it’s different, unique and not something you would normally see in everyone’s place,” says Paula DiRenzo of the Distillery District’s newest addition, Blackbird Vintage.
“The key is masculine, large, rough and interesting.”
Historical artifacts are usually de rigueur when it comes to mantiques (think ancient war, firefighting, photography and even shaving memorabilia) and they usually require a bit of time to locate these rare relics. Luckily, there are local antique and vintage stores that have made it their mission to uncover these unique treasures from around the country, and even from around the globe, so that you don’t have to.
We spoke with several antique dealers and interior designers to find out how to bring the testosterone-heavy antiques, tastefully, into your home.
When beginning your mantiquing, it would be wise to heed the advice of Toronto interior designer Johnson Chou. Before starting a client’s project, Chou asks his clients to put together a scrapbook of images of their favourite things, so they can help recreate it in the space.
From left; vintage model boat from Captain’s Treasures, chess set from Eclectisaurus and a deer from Blackbird
“The individual must think about who they are and what they like,” says Chou. “That way, we are able to create a narrative of their likes, their hobbies and what interests them.” The objects, or the mantiques, would then be used to inspire the individual.
Yank Azman, who sells his antiques every Sunday at the St. Lawrence Market, concurs that mantiques should be placed in a refuge, where “you surround yourself with good things.” Azman, who likens his antique picking to hunting, believes men fall into two categories: a scholar or a warrior. A scholar, therefore, might prefer to own Azman’s Harvard 1930s pennant ($125) or his post-mortem set from the early 20th century ($3,500). A warrior would most likely prefer the 19th-century set of Indian clubs ($325) or the silver-plated golf trophy from the 1960s ($125).
When working with a vintage vibe, Naomi Weissman, of Lux Design, says the best way to start is “to determine the style or era that you would like to portray and work from there to pull together the space using elements that portray this feeling.”
Determining the style makes it much easier to pull pieces together. For instance, if you’re someone who likes the art deco era, you would probably want to check out Leslie Zysman’s vintage and antique store Eclectisaurus. There, you’d find a Sam Spade electrical fan from the 1940s ($75), a Bakelite record player ($75) and various cufflinks that could be put on display as a delicate touch ($15 to $85).
For a more “adventuresome” atmosphere, Victoria Dinnick’s Gadabout in Leslieville provides eye-appealing pieces for the man who prefers brawn over brains. Fan of the Wild Wild West? Then you might dig Dinnick’s 1919 print ($575). Military enthusiasts would love the store’s First World War poster of fighter planes ($650).
Both Dinnick and Zysman acquire their items through estate sales and auctions. Dinnick has even hauled items from flea markets in France, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina. Dinnick says, “It keeps the mix in the store interesting.”
But remember: when working with antiques at home: “It is important to integrate the pieces into the overall design to ensure that they feel like they belong,” Weissman reminds us.
“Simply adding an antique to a space without a cohesive design vision could end up making the piece stick out like a sore thumb. Make sure that the antique is one that embodies the style you already have within your home. That way it enhances your space instead of detracting from it.”
Of course, eclecticism is important when decorating with mantiques.
“The key is to have breathing space,” says Chou.
“You need to show there’s an appreciation for them.” Therefore, if you’re the kind of person who would enjoy a large mounted deer head ($300) or a variety of, say, antlers ($15), which are all available from Captain’s Treasures, then by all means: buy it.
“Buying antiques is like buying art,” says Chou. “Make a conscious decision with what you like. Just don’t buy for the sake of buying.”
Echoing Chou, DiRenzo says, “Always buy what you like.” Even when it comes to her own selection, DiRenzo says, “I don’t believe there’s a science to my picking. I just always look for and buy things that interest me.” As for mantiques, DiRenzo says that having “a big old semi-rusty metal store sign hanging on the wall would be it.”
DiRenzo’s own Blackbird Vintage currently has old metal sign letters for $145 and up.
Captain’s Treasures,
1185 Bloor St. W.
Blackbird Vintage,
55 Mill St., Building 57
Gadabout,
1300 Queen St. E.
Eclectisaurus,
249 Gerrard St. E.
