Chalet Artefacts
Not only does knowing something about the artists who worked at Chalet help personalize your glass – getting a glimpse into that time and place also helps you connect with and to your pieces. And the historical context is always fascinating. Little by little, we have learned more not only about the glass itself but we have also uncovered some pretty interesting details about the milieu in which the glass was created. And – sometimes we have a tangible about what that actually “looked” like. I thought it would be interesting to do a visual representation of some of this by showing some physical Chalet artefacts– hence this article.
The definition of artifact/artefact is an item made or given shape by humans, such as a tool or a work of art, in the past. So, let’s take a look at some Chalet objects of “archaeological interest.”
Firstly, and most obviously, we have the glass itself. I had a piece, which was the cover piece for the 2010 ‘The Shapes and Colours of Chalet Glass’, signed for Alex Wicks by 3 Chalet artists – Gianfranco Guarnieri, and Chalet Maestri Giulio Gatto and Bruno Panizzon.
And we are fortunate to have a few original Chalet catalogue pages. These have given us valuable insight into production as well as design evolution.
This Chalet catalogue page was given to me by Chalet Maestro Giulio Gatto. You can see many familiar forms here but I would bet that few collectors have seen either of the bird dish centerpieces at top.
As shown in the Chalet catalogue page above, top left, this piece is etched ‘Chalet Canada.’ From the collection of Deborah Patterson.
Chalet had an office in Montreal as well as the factory and offices in Cornwall. This signage is at a Montreal trade show. Date unknown. Photograph captured from the 1971 National Film Board documentary “Here’s Canada.”
We know that Chalet distributed their product many ways – through large and small chain stores, by catalogue, at the Chalet factory and through ‘Mom and Pop” retailers such as gift and jewelry stores, motels …
So, it’s likely that the proprietors of this motel in northern Ontario got their Chalet delivered in a box like this one.
Photograph courtesy of Roy Prins.
We have been very lucky to access quite a few historical photographs of both the Chalet factory exterior and interior.
An aerial view of the old Cotton Mills in Cornwall where Chalet was located - at Edward Street and Harbour Road. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.
A brick from the demolished Chalet factory. I got this on a September 2021 visit to Cornwall. The tea was a fun find in Ottawa a few days earlier. Of course with that name - I had to buy and try. Delicious!
The Chalet sign being installed.
Photograph captured from the 1965 National Film Board documentary “Why Canada.” Film clip provided by Mario Panizzon.
Chalet Maestro Luigi Tedesco (foreground) and his brother-in-law, Paolo Pagnin (background). Taken at the Chalet factory. Date unknown. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.
Poster in the Chalet glass showroom at the Cornwall factory location.
The Cornwall location did not have a fancy showroom – despite selling from there and the ongoing tours. Seen here is Chalet artist Antonio Tedesco with his niece Fiorella Pagnin and his nephew Francesco Pagnin. They were the son and daughter of Chalet owner and Maestro Sergio Pagnin. Photograph courtesy of Antonio Tedesco.
Photograph of Chalet owner Angelo Tedesco in the showroom during the 1971 National Film Board documentary of “Here’s Canada”. Film clip courtesy of Mario Panizzon.
We have learned from the Chalet owners and artists as well as newspaper articles, that Chalet became quite the tourist attraction. Factory tours were offered several times daily.
Chalet owner Maestro Luigi Tedesco demonstrates to factory visitors. Date unknown. Photographs from the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
Chalet was well known and popular enough to be used as an advertised prize by Mobil and Odeon Cinemas in Montreal.
The success of Chalet Artistic Glass was important to not only Cornwall but to both the Ontario provincial government and the Canadian federal government. The company received widespread newspaper coverage and attention.
1962 coverage in the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. From the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
A 1972 press release from Chalet. From the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
As noted earlier, Chalet was featured in 2 National Film Board documentaries. Another example, a limited-edition maple leaf (to be showcased at the 1967 World Expo in Montreal and given to dignitaries as gifts) was commissioned by the federal government. The Ontario government featured Chalet in the film “A Place to Stand” which was produced for ‘Expo ’67.
Chalet artists, in order of appearance, seen on the factory floor (1966) at Chalet in this film clip are Antonio Nichetto, Luigino Fornasieri, Chalet owner Maestro Sergio Pagnin and Maestro Bruno Panizzon. Film clip courtesy of Mario Panizzon.
Chalet advertising is fascinating in so many ways. It not only illuminates the ‘who, where and how’ of production and distribution but provides historical context as well.
December 20, 1967. Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. From the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
1971. Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. From the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
A local ‘Mom and Pop’ reseller. In person shopping. From the archives of the Cornwall Community Museum.
A national chain store. Catalogue shopping. Yesterday’s $3.99 sale price translates to approximately $24.04 today. The original price of $6.98 is approximately $40.00 today. Advertisement courtesy of Mario Panizzon.
And from the collection of Kevin and John Hall – a most remarkable artefact. A letter from Chalet President, Sid Heyes, to a collector! And the piece that was purchased.
