Chalet and Vintage Chinese Reproductions
It can be very difficult to tell which Chinese reproductions are vintage and which are modern. Generally, if the glass is of poorer quality, has production flaws, rounded not cut edges, and has a frosted, rough base, it is most likely older. As are pieces with concave depressions in their base. Modern Chinese pieces, typically thought of as being made after 2000, have greatly improved in quality and many of them now have a smooth, flat polished base and Italian glass making techniques such as sommerso are used to further emulate Murano made glass.
There have been quite a few smaller Chinese art glass pieces that consistently have been confused with Canadian or Murano glass so I thought it would be interesting to specifically address these and provide some details. Some of these examples I can state as being vintage glass while some I believe are more modern.
I am presenting these by retailer/distributer:
Crystal Brand:
By far, the most often asked questions with regard to Chinese pieces being considered as possible Chalet are: “Is this a Chalet ribbon?” and/or “Is this a Chalet mini?” Luckily, we are able to answer quite definitively in both cases. And the answer to both is: “No.”
The pieces following are Crystal Brand – a Chinese exporter in the 1970’s. Their pieces were marked with a red and gold round, scalloped edged foil sticker. Some pieces might still retain a distributer or retailer label instead of or addition to the Crystal Brand label.
This small basket style piece is most often the glass in question with regard to “Is this a Chalet ribbon?”:
These are the most typically seen colours. This piece was mass produced and are usually between 7 and 7 ½” in height. Very rounded.
A more unusual version:
Photographs courtesy of Jody Runzo Dean.
A small frilly bowl is also quite common. It is in the same style and colour palette as the basket shown above..
From left to right, photographs courtesy of 50 Shades members Ryan Mo, Joni Warren, and Andrea Aird.
These two styles of Crystal Brand exported vases are much scarer and, although, as of yet, I have received no inquiries regarding them, I thought it of value to include for future reference. They are markedly different than any Chalet “ribbon” vase both in shape and the “ribboning.”
To date, these are the only colours I have seen in this form. Note that the blue piece retains a secondary sticker as well as its original Crystal Brand export label.
The styles of Chalet “ribbon” vases we have found to date. All of these pieces are etched “Chalet Canada.”
Now to the second question: “Is this a Chalet mini?” This clear basket is an exceeding common piece and can be found online in abundance as well as in almost every thrift, second-hand store, antique store, or flea market stall.
This clear crystal basket is slightly larger and quite a bit heavier than the “ribbon” ones shown above. Typically stands at about 8” and weighs approximately 2 lbs. It can be very clear or have a yellow cast. The basket shown here courtesy of 50 Shades member Lori Hunter.
Now this leads us from one marking and era into another marking and, in my opinion, possibly another era as well.
The clear basket shown above (which was distributed in the 1970’s by the now defunct Crystal Brand, China) has also been found with a “Toscany Collection” marking. However, its country of manufacture is still China. But I have also found the same “Toscany Collection” markings on pieces from Taiwan and Japan as well. I think this could perhaps indicate that this basket is a more modern reproduction and is obviously being handled by a different and larger company with divisions in several countries.
Note that the base on this “Toscany Collection” basket unlike the Crystal Brand basket is flat with no concave depression. As are the bases of the Christmas tree and angel above. Another factor pointing to more modern aged pieces.
Furthering this assumption is that the “Toscany Collection” also includes items other than crystal and uses stamped hallmarks as well.
A very mass produced, modern looking teapot with very modern branding.
Fifth Avenue Crystal Ltd:
This was/is an American retailer/importer of “… crystal glassware, tableware, and decorative accessories.” In business since 1991, so some of their items are vintage and some are modern. It was originally a division of Crystal Clear Industries which handled the distribution of the product they imported from China. In 2016, it was purchased by Jay Import Co. but still operates under the name Fifth Avenue. It has absolutely no connection to the retailer Saks Fifth Avenue although there are listings conflating the two entities.
The quality of the art glass I have seen from this retailer/importer is generally very high. It is often confused with Murano glass. And I am repeatedly asked questions about a few of their pieces in relation to Chalet and Lorraine Glass Industries pieces. This elephant figurine is one such. It is ubiquitous both online and out in “the Wild.”
To keep it simple, if the ears are not rounded but long, pointed and positioned downward – Fifth Avenue – always.
Vintage Canadian made glass elephants:
Murano (Seguso) elephant:
As with the Canadian figurines, rounded ears positioned close to head and pointing backward.
Fifth Avenue piece on left. In this pose, the trunk is the key with regard to identification confusion. Again, keep it simple – Chalet never made an elephant figurine with a downward pointing trunk. Moreover, this particular pose in Chalet figurines was only done in clear crystal. This Fifth Avenue elephant is also very often identified as Murano.
I frequently get queried about these as well:
An easy “No, not Chalet” as there are several very marked differences. Although Chalet did produce green Christmas trees (see directly below) for distribution by Chantili and N. C. Cameron and Sons Ltd, their trees never contained red. They could be “iced” as is the tree on the right in the following photograph but only a single colour was used. Moreover, the base of the Fifth Avenue trees is higher, clear instead of coloured and not as ball shaped. In my opinion, this detracts from the grace of the piece.
The green Chalet “Christmas trees.” Tree on the right is from the collection of Chalet artist Roberto De Marchi.
Action International Lt:
This company is a U.S. (Cheswick, Pennsylvania) based distributor importing clear glass animal figurines from China. A division of Action International Industries, it began operating in 1972 and is still in business today. It uses a round gold foil label with black lettering to mark its products.
The quality of its goods is very poor. The workmanship and the styling is crude. However, I have had collectors ask me if these three figurines were made by Chalet. Most assuredly not.
The Chalet “equivalents”:
Photograph courtesy of 50 Shades member Alex Wicks.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that I also get asked many questions about Chinese and Chalet paperweights. However, I have no stickered comparisons that are relevant. Therefore, the best course of action is to direct you to the article on Chalet paperweights as it shows all the Chalet paperweights that we know of to date and, therefor, may be considered a definitive resource.
