Chalet influences, influencers and influenced
As promised, I am following up a 50 Shades "Tuesday Talk" with an article summarizing everything we learned on “Glasshouse Copycatting”. The idea originated during a conversations with 50 Shades member Jo Highland about a recent post I did showing 3 different Chalet orange vases. One of the vases (right foreground) led to us discussing its Lorraine “fraternal twin". And then another set came up. So, I thought, let's specifically talk about design influences and influencers and the “eagle eyes” the glasshouses kept on each other.
The 3 Chalet vases that led to this discussion. All bear the etched ‘Chalet Canada’ signature. And the other “twins” that came up.
Japanese (Sanyu Glass) made on left and etched “Chalet Canada” on right.
We see so many similar forms AND colour combinations between so many glass houses. In pairings of never-ending similarities – Chalet/Lorraine, Chalet/EDAG Chalet/Mosaic, Chalet/European, Chalet/Asian, Chalet/Mexican, Lorraine/EDAG … and every other twinning duo or trio or more that you can think of! Dream up a scenario – I guarantee you will find examples.
One of our most common interests and quandaries is the repeated "I never would have thought..." when we see a new piece or one that puzzles us. And we all want to learn more about the inspiration that led to the creation of our art glass. I can't begin to show you all the forms that I think are similar or that influenced each other but I have put a few together to get us started.
We know from seeing forms that are closely related that the glasshouses were very conscious of designs produced by their competitors. We also know from Chalet Maestri like Bruno Panizzon that the Chalet Masters were given work orders from the Chalet owners instructing them to make Chalet versions of pieces produced by other glass houses. Some of these went into production - some did not. Mario Panizzon (son of Chalet Maestro Bruno Panizzon) actually has one such work order in his possession - his father was asked to duplicate/replicate a Czech design. He shared with me this fascinating glimpse into both Chalet’s creative and design process which is also further proof that Angelo Tedesco was very aware of what was going on in the art glass world. Always remember that Chalet was a factory and could and did react to what was selling in the art glass world. Capturing international markets as well as meeting the demand from Canadian consumers as another point to remember is that Chalet exported product worldwide – it was not just sold in this country.
So, let’s get started. As said so often: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
I am going to deal very quickly with the most obvious - colour similarities. This does not need to be shown extensively. In fact, I am just going to show only 4 examples of shared colour palettes
Chalet’s inspiration for its 2 tone cranberry/blue was from Murano. Basket in background is etched ‘Chalet Canada’ while front centerpiece is Murano made.
A huge variety of solids were used by all glasshouses. Red tone pieces here - 2 left pieces are by Lorraine Glass Industries and the 2 right pieces are by EDAG.
Chalet and Lorraine both used a 2 tone blue/green colour combination. However, the colour placement was reversed. Chalet pieces always have the blue over the green (think sky over grass) while Lorraine pieces have the opposite - green over the blue.
Another shared 2 tone colour palette between 2 different glasshouses. Photographs courtesy of 50 Shades member Brad McGillivray.
Another quick little mention - the commonly seen technique of “bullicante” was also done by the Canadian glass houses.
From left to right: EDAG, Chalet and Lorraine. We have found only a few “controlled bubble’ Chalet pieces. However, this technique is found quite often in pieces by EDAG, Lorraine and Altaglass.
Okay - now that we have the appetizers out of the way, let’s serve up the main course. But please remember - these are not even the tip of the iceberg - just a very few and a random sampling. I could do an entire book on this subject and not even come close to covering it properly. I just want to bring the “copycat” specter into the spotlight to help with education and identification issues. I am starting with Canadian/Murano pairings as all roads lead from and to Murano regarding techniques, forms, colours and traditions. It is the birthplace of glass making for the modern world.
For more details regarding this piece, please refer to the article “From Concept to Catalogue.”
Vase on left is by Mosaic Artistic Glass (Cornwall 1968-1969) and the vase on the right is Murano made.
You do not have to look very far to see Chalet’s inspiration for their version of the “grumpy old man owl.” Although the Murano figurine does need more “eyebrow barbering”, the similarities are undeniable.
Chalet Artistic Glass operated in Cornwall, Ontario from 1962-1975. The Canadian glasshouses of its era that it most closely influenced and/or was influenced by were Lorraine Glass Industries, EDAG and Mosaic Artistic Glass. This was largely due to close proximity to each other, shared traditions in glass making and a work force of artists that largely shared a commonality of background (Murano).
An absolutely stunning pair of very large baskets - olive is by Chalet and amber is by Lorraine.
Many, many, many of the animal figurines are simply perfect examples of this too - here are just 3. The Chalet and Lorraine squirrels, one of the Chalet songbirds and one of the Chalet owls with their Lorraine counterparts.
Front is by Chalet and back is by Lorraine. Photograph courtesy of 50 Shades member Candace Crosswhite Nestorowhich.
Left is by Lorraine and right is by Chalet. Photograph courtesy of 50 Shades member Jo Highland.
Mosaic Artistic Glass and EDAG also produced small animal figurines.
Centerpiece on the left is EDAG glass and from the collection of 50 Shades member Alex Wicks while centerpiece on the right is Chalet glass and from the collection of 50 Shades member Roy Prins.
The EDAG glass amber bird centerpiece is from the collection of 50 Shades member “the Amber Queen” and the red Lorraine centerpiece is from the collection of 50 Shade member David Carpenter. Both glass houses did quite a few versions of bird centerpieces. For more examples of these “Similar yet Different” forms, please see that chapter in ‘Chalet Crystal Clear.’
Another 2 stunners. Left - Chalet glass. Right - EDAG glass.
Photograph of the EDAG glass piece courtesy of 50 Shades member Carol Lincz. Photograph of the amber Chalet piece courtesy of “the Amber Queen.”
For years, we were never able to verify the maker of the olive centerpiece. However, recently we discovered an advertisement (below) promoting Lorraine “Glass Industries pieces - this was one listed. Blue EDAG glass centerpiece from the collection of 50 Shades member Cindy Bishop-Laughlin and the Mosaic Artistic Glass piece from the collection of 50 Shades member Brad McGillivray.
This Johnstone Walker (a large department store in Edmonton1892-1974) ran this ad in the Edmonton Journal on November 24, 1965. This newspaper is a division of the Postmedia Network.
And the following picture is worth 2 thousand words!
First photograph courtesy of 50 Shades member Ella Hanks. Olive “fingertip” is by Chalet, 2 tone beside it is Murano, orange vase behind the Murano piece is by Chalet and the cranberry piece at left rear is made by Val St. Lambert. The second photograph is courtesy of 50 Shades member Jeremiah Shaver. This last stunner is by Mosaic Artistic Glass. So - 5 “fingertips” - 4 different glass houses. Two different continents - a meeting of the Old World with the New World.
More European influencers/influenced. It’s like the “chicken or the egg.” I have no proof which came first.
Thank you to 50 Shades member Anik Bronka for the verification of the Chribska glass.
Left vase Chalet and right vase Val St. Lambert. Both pieces from the collection of 50 Shades member Ella Hanks.
Left vase Val St. Lambert. and right vase Chalet. Both pieces from the collection of 50 Shades member Ella Hanks.
And 3 more examples of world wide reach - Asian and Mexican.
The larger pieces in the background are Chalet. The smaller blue “ribbon” is vintage Chinese - a Crystal Brand piece. They are very commonly mistaken for vintage glass. However, they are a mass reproduction.
You can find this Chinese Fifth Avenue piece in almost every flea market that you visit. It is one of the most commonly wrongly identified pieces we see.
Left - John Riekes Mexican Kristaluxus and right - John Riekes Chalet.
A close collaboration between Chalet and American glass artist Don Shepherd, best known for his work at Blenko, led to some very surprising “copy catting.”
One example - these ‘Chalet Canada’ etched molded owls are identical to Shepherd’s “Ice Floe” Blenko produced series. Right down to the number of “eye lashes and breast feathers.” I counted! For more, please refer to the ‘Chalet and Don Shepherd’ chapter in “Chalet Crystal Clear.”
Vintage glass is still inspiring “copycats.” A recent line found in the US/Canadian chain T. J. Maxx/Home Sense/Marshall’s/Winner’s has found its way into many flea markets and many online sellers mistakenly sell these reproductions as vintage glass.
