Chalet Ring Trees

The “Decorator Spruce ” trees (as described by US Chalet distributor Riekes Crisa) or, as Chalet aficionados call them, the Chalet “Christmas trees” are pieces very eagerly sought by collectors – “unicorn’ or “grail” pieces. Good news - Chalet made 2 tree forms so your chances of finding a “Chalet tree” are a bit better perhaps than you thought! The first form is the better known Chalet “Christmas tree” and the second, which is much less well-known and even more rare, is the Chalet “Spruce Jewelry Tree.” Commonly called the “Chalet ring tree.” Both tree forms are rare with the ring tree being even more so. Their rarity is due both to limited production runs and poor survival rate. Chalet artist Roberto De Marchi has told us that production of the “Christmas” trees was done each year in September for just a few weeks. We do not know how often the ring trees were produced. While the “Christmas trees” were made for distribution by Chantili and N.C. Cameron in Canada and Riekes Crisa in the United States, to date, it appears that only Riekes Crisa carried the Chalet ring trees.

I was very fortunate to learn about both forms very early on in my collecting and actually had one of each form to show at the 2010 Chalet exhibit in Cornwall:

Note the large 17” clear crystal Chalet “Christmas” tree in the centre background and the 9” “slag” Chalet “ring” tree a few pieces to its right in the foreground. 2010, Cornwall Art Gallery, Cornwall, Ontario.

There are very clear differences in form that distinguish the “ring” trees from the “Christmas” trees. Most notably – the “branches”. The ring tree “branch” pulls are out and up to serve their function – to hold jewelry. The “Christmas” tree ‘branches” are out and slightly down as you would see in a spruce or pine tree in nature. As well, the overall form of the ring tree is more tapered and slenderer. It is three sided/3 rows of horizontal pulls with quite pronounced flat areas interspersed between each row. Vertically, there are four pulls in each row. The Chalet “Christmas” trees are fuller with both more horizontal and vertical pulls with no flat areas . The “Christmas trees” were produced in  either clear crystal or emerald and there are 2 different type base styles. To date, with the exception of one non-production “slag” ring tree, we have found ring trees only in clear crystal. They have also only been found with the ball shaped base. The Riekes catalog has them listed in only one production height of 8 inches. However, my three show a small variation range from 8 ½ inches to 9 inches in height. The “Christmas trees” were made in 4 production heights.

From the collection of 50 Shades member Jonathon Tremblay.

Some of my Chalet ring and “Christmas” trees.

 The Chalet ring trees have been found with 3 out of the 4 Riekes labels. Specifically these stickers:

This Chalet ring tree retains its original marking - the earlier white with blue lettering paper Riekes label. It is not as often seen as the foil Riekes label. From the collection of 50 Shades member Iam Marc Lindner.

The “Spruce jewelry Tree” is 3 sided with 4 pulls on each side. Branches quite markedly curl upwards. They are most typically 9” in height.

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Interesting and yet another example of “Chalet is consistent in its inconsistency” as although the ring tress are not shown in the Riekes catalogues as part of the “John Riekes collection”, my ring tree here bears that label.

 As stated earlier, ring trees were made for Riekes Crisa. These production pieces were in clear crystal and in one height – 8 to 9 inches. It is shown here in the later undated Riekes catalogue. You will also see four Chalet “Christmas trees” in the lower left of the catalogue page. Note that the bases of the “Christmas” trees carried in this catalogue are the ball shaped – not the conical as were shown on the “Christmas” trees  in the earlier Riekes catalogue.  Please also be aware that the grouping of 3 “Pine” (as described in the catalog) trees with “bubbled” cores shown beside the clowns at right are not Chalet trees - they are Italian made Ferro and Lazzarini.

From the later undated Riekes catalogue. The “Spruce Jewelry tree” as well as the “Pine Tree” and the “Decorator Spruce trees” are also shown on this page.

A “one-of a kind” Chalet surprise – a “slag” ring tree. It is 8”, it is of the same design, it does have the ball base, it does retain the “palette” shaped Riekes label BUT it certainly isn’t clear crystal

My collection of Chalet “Christmas trees” (left) and the “ring trees “ (right).

You are no doubt asking, “What’s that “little thing” front and center?” Well – a Chalet “Never say Never.” I do include it in my trees. Maybe it’s a “sapling” as is only 4 ½ inches in height. Obviously, another “slag” piece. It retains a hang tag from the ‘Canadiana Cranberry’ line as well as a Chalet inventory sticker on its base which has been used as a price sticker. You will also no doubt be curious about the very large crystal “Christmas tree” in the left rear. It is 16” in height – not a production size. It retains its Riekes Crisa label. I have also had a 17” tree which was etched “Chalet Canada.”

A final surprise! It has recently come to light that 5 years after Chalet closed, one of the Chalet owners, Angelo Tedesco, opened a very small glass factory in St. Zotique, Quebec. It had only 2 ovens, produced only clear crystal pieces and was only in business for a short time. It did, however, during that period, employ many of the artists that had worked together at Chalet. Most notably, Maestro Giulio Gatto and artists Roberto De Marchi and Giovanni Voltalina. And guess what – they made clear crystal “ring trees” there identical to the ones they had created for Chalet. I guess not a totally illogical surprise.

So, can you tell which ring tree was made where?

Left - St. Zotique tree and Chalet tree for Riekes Crisa distribution on the right.

To date, there is no evidence that Lorraine Glass Industries, EDAG, Mosaic Artistic Glass or Rossi Artistic Glass produced ring trees. However, I am including a vintage etched FM Marcolin tree as one that could possibly be mistaken for Chalet. BUT with a caveat - although the tilt of “branch” pulls certainly could support a ring, these Swedish trees are only 6-inches. I am not sure that there is enough room between the rows to accommodate jewelry. Maybe I will have to find one and personally test - all in the name of research of course!

Circa 1983-1989.

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