 We're proud to announce that our crew is well ahead of schedule to complete the Masonry on our Taverna Italian Kitchen restoration project! I can't resist sharing a sneak peak of the installed Indiana limestone Greek key motif! This meander motif took its name from the river Meander, a river with many twists, mentioned by Homer in Iliad. The motif is also known as Greek key or Greek fret. Meander was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity or the eternal flow of things. Many temples and objects were decorated with this motif, and it is considered that there is a connection with the Cretan labyrinth – indeed - a labyrinth can be drawn using a Greek key. Meander symbolizes as well the bonds of friendship, of love and devotion and that’s the reason it’s often given as marriage gift. It can symbolize as well the four cardinal points, the 4 seasons, waves – especially in the round version of it, or snakes, among others.  The buildings agora sign with thyrsus detail is coming along beautifully as seen here being carved by our Stone Carver & Masonry Designer, Ryan Watson. Watson's a natural born artist who's bringing back Stone Carving, a trade that dates back to the beginning of civilization and uses tools that date back to the early 1900's. Watson worked diligently (as he always does) with the Owners of Taverna creating the buildings new limestone facade. We have no doubt that this design and the buildings new architectural detail will play a huge role on this historical building lasting for centuries, and only becoming more and more magnificent with age. What is the meaning behind agora and what is a thyrsus you ask? Agora is the marketplace in Athens, used for popular meetings, or any similar place of assembly in ancient Greece. A thyrsus or thyrsos was a wand or staff of giant fennel covered with ivy vines and leaves, sometimes wound with taeniae and always topped with a pine cone.  Above shows Taverna's sign starting to take shape! I invite you to share this magnificent restoration project with your friends and family - and don't forget about our YouTube channel. Watson can be seen inside our carving shop working his magic HERE!
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 What an exciting morning it was to receive our Indiana limestone order weighing over 10,000 pounds. This pallet of Meander - Greek key string course will span the entire front of Saskatoon's Taverna Italian Kitchen & Bar once complete. The meander motif took its name from the river Meander, a river with many twists, mentioned by Homer in Iliad. The motif is also known as Greek key or Greek fret. Meander was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity or the eternal flow of things. Many temples and objects were decorated with this motif, and it is considered that there is a connection with the Cretan labyrinth – indeed - a labyrinth can be drawn using a Greek key. Meander symbolizes as well the bonds of friendship, of love and devotion and that’s the reason it’s often given as marriage gift. It can symbolize as well the four cardinal points, the 4 seasons, waves – especially in the round version of it, or snakes, among others.  Our Stone Carver and Masonry Designer, Ryan Watson's been hard at working getting the buildings signage to completion with installation to happen early August. This sign will be installed in the entablature; a horizontal part in classical architecture at the top of the building.
For more on the meaning behind this sign check out our previous blog HERE and be sure to SHARE this historical restoration project with your friends!  We were honored when asked to be a part of the restoration on Saskatoon's oldest Italian eatery in downtown Saskatoon, Taverna Italian Kitchen. This building was built in 1907 and opened as a department store in 1907 with a seamstress above, then opened as Taverna in 1969. Ownership changed hands eight years ago with a menu that's as authentic as it gets! Here they are watching the magic happen in our Stone Carving shop. Watch Ryan Watson, our Stone Carver & Masonry Designer giving a demo in our Stone Carving shop on our YouTube channel above. Part of this restoration includes this hand carved Indiana limestone sign that reads "agora" in the traditional Greek alphabet with thyrsus detail below. ag·o·ra; the marketplace in Athens, used for popular meetings, or any similar place of assembly in ancient Greece. A thyrsus or thyrsos (Ancient Greek: θύρσος) was a wand or staff of giant fennel (Ferula communis) covered with ivy vines and leaves, sometimes wound with taeniae and always topped with a pine cone.  It's always a real pleasure to work with clients who are as passionate as we are about timeless designs and architectural stone details! Owners of Taverna above with our Stone Carver and Masonry Designer, Ryan Watson. Stay tuned for PART TWO at www.roccomasons.com
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