Chalet and FASCINATION PAR C.M.
I wanted to showcase some of the Chalet beautiful pieces marked this way and thought, “What better way than to pair them with namesake music.” I am obviously referring to the 1905 French song “Fascination.” This is an iconic song – performed by many artists, has hit the Billboard ‘Top 40” chart many times, has been used in movies and television, music box ballerinas “dance’ to it” … The last is especially fitting as it was written as a wedding waltz. I have chosen Nat King Cole’s beautiful 1957 interpretation and used here with permission from the copyright holder. I would like to thank everyone who contributed photographs of pieces from their collections. To name just a few - Cindy Bishop-Laughlin, Kevin and John Hall, Malla Birns and the A.Q. Thanks also to Mario Panizzon for providing details about the company which operated under this ‘brand’.
‘FASCINATION PAR C.M.’ was a branding "label" used by a Montreal company - Les Importations C.M. Ltee. An importer, distributor and direct reseller of all sorts of goods ranging from art glass and jewelry to electronics.
An original catalog/inventory sheet for some of the Chalet product they distributed. I was given this by Chalet Maestro Giulio Gatto in 2010 during interviews for “The Shapes & Colours of Chalet Art Glass”
There is no address on this catalog sheet but they had 2 locations in Montreal with their retail shop located at 8225 St- Laurent Blvd and their offices and warehouses on Monk Blvd . The retail space was open to the general public on St-Laurent from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
This company’s marking was an etched signature. They did not use stickers. I believe the FASCINATION PAR C.M. branding was done by the retailer themselves as none of the Chalet artists have any knowledge of this hallmark We know that Eaton’s, Birks and others preferred to do their own marking so this is not unusual.
The pieces have inventory numbers distinct from Chalet inventory numbers. The FASCINATION listings are a 70/200 to 70/212 series of numbers. Someone from Chalet (I am assuming as this was in Maestro Gatto’s possession) has written the corresponding Chalet inventory listing beside each piece. For example, the FASCINATION PAR C.M piece #70/206 is Chalet piece #B86. This was most probably done for ordering purposes. You can see this piece in the video here. I am fortunate to have one in my collection.
Les Importations C.M. Ltee. appears to have been a ‘discount’ Chalet reseller – not a high-end boutique. Why this assumption? Below each piece there are 2 prices – “Reg” and “Prix C.M.”. I do not think this “Prix C.M.” is a special price indicating a sale. Why? The descriptive lines on the page are “Elegance and finesse of lines. Latest creations from Canadian master glassmakers.” There is no mention of a sale and the glass is promoted as “the latest”.
We know that these pieces shown in this brochure were not exclusively carried by this company as we have seen them with other markings. Examples from my collection:
My basket is etched with the ‘Chantili ‘signature and it is also be found etched “Chalet Canada. It is featured on the catalogue page above as FASCINATION piece #70/202.
My ashtray is etched with the ‘Chalet Canada’ signature. Shown in this shape as FASCINATION piece #70/212.
This distributer/retailer bought a fair amount of glass from Chalet. This can be stated as fact as not only does this one catalog sheet show them carrying 13 different forms, but we have also found other styles of vases, candle holders, centerpieces and ashtrays marked with their etching. The ‘tornado’ style vase in the video here is a perfect example. To date, no Chalet animal figurines or bomboniere have been found with the FASCINATION etching.
If you have a suggestion, a thought or would like to make an observation, please leave a ‘Comment’ below. Thank you!
