Breaking news - we now know who blew the rare olive green/sapphire blue ‘divided’ pieces!

As I said in the video, these are rare non-production pieces. We  don’t have any catalogue sheets or inventory numbers for any in this limited line. Until now, the only certainty regarding their production I had is that I knew who DIDN’T blow them at Chalet. How? 50 Shades member Raymond Caron loaned a centerpiece for display at the 2010 Cornwall Chalet exhibit and it was a complete surprise for all the artists there with whom I spoke about it.

This centerpiece is from the collection of 50 Shades member Raymond Caron. On display at the 2010 “The Art & Artisans of Chalet Glass” exhibit, Cornwall, Ontario.

However, I did have some theories. I know they would have been made by a Master as they are not production pieces, very beautifully done and unusual with the dividers and distinct colour separation. That led me to think they were done by either Maestro Sergio Pagnin or Maestro Luigi Tedesco – Chalet owners as well so they had the authority, access and resources to create test pieces and talent to envision these stunners. I suspected they could have been test pieces for a line that did not go forward. Perhaps they were thinking of creating another 2-colour combo line like the blue/emerald-green line. And these pieces are consistently etched with the “Chalet Canada” signature which also shows that they were done with the intention of distribution. The numbers in which they have been found also bear this line of reasoning out – very rare but seen often enough that we can surmise they were not done for personal collecting. Another reason for my thinking was that we have found a variety of 5 forms –vertical centerpieces, horizontal centerpieces, vases, baskets and 2-butt ashtrays. Moreover, each of these shapes appear to have been made in two different styles.

 And I am thrilled to be able to confirm that they were indeed made by Maestri Sergio Pagnin and Luigi Tedesco. With the majority being made by Maestro Pagnin. Confirmation was given by Chalet artist Antonio Tedesco (Chalet artist, Luigi’s older brother and Sergio’s brother-in-law). He remembers their making.

I am lucky to have these in my personal collection.

Let’s take a look at each of the forms and the 2 styles of each. Starting with the vertical centerpieces. Large “finger and curl” pieces.

The second is consistent with 1 curl but there are 2 side pulls as well and less angular styling. You will see side pull styling in all the forms in this line.

The 2 styles of horizontal centerpiece forms.

As shown earlier, from the collection of 50 Shades member Raymond Caron.

This side pulled styled horizontal centerpiece is from the collection of 50 Shades member Troy Danby.

The two vase forms.

Without the side pulls.

Vase form with the side pulls. From the collection of Debbie Menard.

Let’s look at the 2 different baskets next.

The crossed arm/tip styling is the most often seen. The height seems to range slightly – most are typically 10-12” tall.

The side pull basket is the much rarer. Exceptionally scarce. From the collection of 50 Shades member Patricia Wright.

And lastly, the ashtrays. They also were done in 2 different shapes with one having the side pull styling. Their shapes also seem to  reflect those of the horizontal centerpieces. With 2 obvious differences – the ashtray rims have butt rests while the rims of the centerpieces have no indents for cigarettes and are larger in size.

Style 1:

Style 2 with the side pulls.

The butt rests in the side pulls styled ashtray (on the right)  are nestled very discreetly directly beside the side pulls.

Nat King Cole’s “The Very Thought of You” used here with permission of the copyright holder. Thanks as well to Liz Crawford and 50 Shades member Bob Burgess for photo use in this video.