Early Metalsmiths

While this website is primarily about identification of my designs for Metalsmiths in the 30 years between 1954 and 1984, it may be interesting and instructive to outline the history of that firm as a reflection of the era in which it existed.
 
My father, Kenneth F. Noxon was the first graduate of the University of Toronto to receive a Master of Architecture degree. His practice included many homes in the city, some of them being rather grand. In 1926 at the age of 26, he created Metalsmiths Co. Limited by taking over the  practice of a blacksmith who was supplying fittings for jobs in his office but was in financial difficulty.
 
Metalsmiths first location was at the rear of 903 Yonge Street. It later moved to the lower floor of a barn housing White's Riding Academy at 921 Yonge Street, about where the Rosedale subway station now stands. In November 1939 a new shop and factory was opened at 1073 Yonge Street near Marlborough Street, (upper image) where the semi-circular display window (c. 1948) became a landmark.

The upper floor of 1073 Yonge ( known as 1071 Yonge) was a large loft probably built to store hay for horses in the former carriage house below. After renovations it housed, besides architect Kenneth Noxon, a number of architects including Fischer, Tedman and Fisher with whom architect George Boake was employed. He designed a chair that was first made in the forge below. Interior design firm Sloan Branton was a later tenant. Artist Isabel McLaughlin had the loft extensively refurbished as a painting studio but never moved in. The building was demolished c. 2007

This Image of the old forge at 1073 Yonge Street was made by D.A. Urquhart c.1954. It won an award in a photo competition at Hart House, U. of T. The factory was moved to Richvale Ontario soon after that, leaving more space for expanded showroom. By 1962 the company had ceased retail sales and moved to 110 Laird Drive in Leaside where contract showroom and factory were reunited. Fireplace furnishings were still manufactured and retailed by Ken Cook at The Fireplace Shop in Toronto.

Metalsmiths was a retail business making stock and custom wrought iron articles of an astonishing variety. Small watercolour sketches on kraft brown paper were often made for the client's approval. Many of these sketches by Kenneth Noxon bear the client's name and address leaving not only a record of the architectural jobs in his office but also a list of prominent families in Rosedale, Chestnut Park, Moore Park,and Forest Hill.  

An entire home could be supplied with fireplace equipment, wall, ceiling and floor lamps, door hardware, garden furniture, stair railings, and even a weathervane with the family pet on the arrow. An essential component was the high degree of design offered. 

Shown below are four of 30 typical 8 x 10 catalog pages. Illustrations included garden furniture, railings, cabinet hardware, awn and curtain fittings, signs, weathervanes, floor, wall and ceiling fixtures, candelabras, church fittings, fern stands, lanterns, and many miscellaneous pieces of house furnishings.