Chalet Bullicante Pieces

I totally accept the “domino effect” concept which is “… a situation in which one event links a series of related events, one following another in a short period of time.”

This article fell into place in a very organic way – a 50 Shades member, Gionny Gueli, found an amazing piece (shown below), another 50 shades member, Pina Trocchia sent me a message asking for more information about it and included in her message was this question, “Is there an article about these?” And, since I had been looking for a topic to fill this March slot …

What is bullicante? Bullicante is a technique used to create “controlled bubbles” within the layers of a piece of glass. Air bubbles are mouth blown or injected using a spiked tool into the glass to create a design pattern. This technique is strictly “controlled” by the artist. This deliberate placement of bubbles is in contrast to the random bubbles created using the pulegoso (uncontrolled bubble) technique. It is one of the most famous techniques used in Murano and handed down over generations.

Did Chalet produce “bubble” pieces? Yes. Not typically but a very few rare etched and stickered Chalet bullicante hand-blown forms have been found as well as in some of the animal figurines.

Did any other Canadian glasshouses produce bullicante pieces? Yes, EDAG, Lorraine and Altaglass did as well. Bullicante Altaglass pieces are quite common. To date, I have no verified bullicante pieces on file from the Rossi, Continental Glass Manufacturing or Mosaic glasshouses.

EDAG (left), Chalet (middle) and Lorraine Glass Industries (right) ashtrays. From the collection of Deborah Patterson.

Glasshouses use both molds and mouth blowing to produce their bullicante pieces. Both techniques require an advanced level of experience from the glass blower.

With a mold: a gather of molten glass is placed inside a textured metallic mold with small spikes, very much resembling the outer layer (the exocarp) of a pineapple. These spikes cause small holes on the glass surface creating a precise and uniform pattern all around the piece. This is then cooled for a brief period. Then, the whole piece is submerged in molten glass. A second layer now completely covers the first one. However, because of the thick consistency of glass, the holes previously impressed on the first layer are not covered which causes air to be trapped between the two layers. This process can be repeated several times, creating a pattern as complicated as the artist wishes. This technique gives not only a sense of depth to the whole object, but also an incomparable decorative effect, famous for its originality.

The following 3 pieces are Chalet “controlled bubble” pieces produced this way.

This piece was the first “domino” for this article. 50 Shades member Gionny Gueli found this piece quite recently. Not only is it incredibly rare as being bullicante BUT it is the only bullicante piece that has been found, to date, that is not amber/honey or bright gold!

Caption – when 50 Shades member Pina Pina saw this piece in a group post by Gionny, she asked me for more information. Specifically – is there an article on these? Well, thanks to Pina - there is now!

Another signed ashtray of this style but in bright gold:

A second style of Chalet bullicante ashtray has been found but with the small “Lead Crystal Chalet” label:

I found this piece right in Cornwall at the start of my collecting.

Another incredibly rare piece – this time the form is an even bigger surprise than the fact it is bullicante.

Examples of Chalet bullicante piece where the bubbles were mouth-blown into the piece:

Etched “Chalet Canada.” From the collection of 50 Shades member Steve Allen.

From the collection of 50 Shades member Bob Burgess.

Excluding some animal figurines, to date, the 7 pieces shown above are the only verified Chalet bullicante forms that we have found. Moving on with the Chalet bullicante animal figurines.

These have also been found in very limited numbers and forms. These figurines are most typically avventurina as well.

Most common of these rare pieces is an “Budda belly” owl figurine. Usually produced in shades of blue, seen in a wide range of tones, and consistently avventurina.

From collections of lucky 50 Shaders Cindy Bishop-Laughlin (left), Deborah Patterson (middle) and Dwain Robertson (right).

The only other bullicante owls that we have found that are not blue are the 3 that follow directly below. Exceptionally rare.

Rich gold with gold fill. I am very fortunate to have her in my collection.

Exceedingly unique – another piece from the outstanding collection of Cindy Bishop-Laughlin.

This very handsome fellow roosts with 50 Shades member Jonathon Tremblay.

Another bullicante Chalet animal figurine is the “curled up” cat. And, like the owl, it is also an aaventurinaa figurine. However, it is less often seen than its owl counterpart owl.

It is also most typically found in shades of blue. However, a gold one in this form has also been found.

I was so surprised when collector and 50 Shades member Troy Danby showed me this bullicante figurine. It is a pose I had never seen before and is just bullicante – no gold fill. It’s the only one, at time of writing, of which I know. Just a great piece!