Cock a Doodle Chalet - the rooster figurines.

They may be common in a barnyard but they certainly aren’t in the world of Chalet! There is nothing that is negative about this bird. They represent everything positive – luck, strength, honesty, fertility, confidence, protection … So, let’s see how Chalet interpreted these traits. First and foremost – through their striking colours and jaunty pose! Chalet did not produce very many 3-tone colours but they sure made an exception for this piece.

Some details and a closer look. The Chalet roosters have been found in four body colour palettes. The head coxcomb and chin wattle, however, are consistently red. They were produced in two poses. We have no Chalet inventory number or catalog page references for either form. As well as the 3-tone coloured in clear crystal figurines, on file are also a 3-tone opaline and a completely clear crystal rooster.

 Colour palettes in the clear crystal:

:blue/emerald-green with the head coxcomb and wattle both red

:blue/olive-green with the head coxcomb and wattle both red

:blue/amber with the head coxcomb and wattle both red

:amber/emerald-green with the head coxcomb and wattle both red

From the collection of Diane Smith.

From the collection of Shelley Fracalossi.

50 Shades member Troy Danby needs 2 “time to get up!” helpers.

There is a second pose which is exceedingly rare.

This “resting on chest” Chalet rooster figurine also from the collection of Troy Danby. The colour palette and placement do remain consistent with the first pose as above.

And a 3-tone opaline! To date, the only one we have seen. Therefore, I can provide no further details other than what is obvious through the visual.

 To produce the opaline animal figurines and larger pieces, lead arsenate was added to the clear crystal molten glass mixture in the vat to create a milky, white appearance. The clear glass loses its transparency and becomes opaque. Opaline glass was used not only in two complete and distinctive hand moulded Chalet lines but also to create some very memorable stand-alone animal figurines. As well as opaline roosters, we have also seen polar bears, elephants, and cats. The colour palette and placement and pose in this figurine remains consistent with those in the figurines shown above. Another exceptional piece from the amazing collection of Troy Danby.

Another surprise. Clear crystal!

Note that this rooster is another in the “resting on chest” pose. This rooster is neither mentioned nor shown in either of the Riekes Crisa catalogs I have. It is also not featured in any of the American retailers’ advertisements that I have found.

We have seen no silver foil or gold avventurina Chalet rooster figurines so far but Never say Never!

 Closing with a great rooster grouping from 50 Shades member Kevin Hall.