The Leaves
Autumn not only brings relief from the heat and humidity of summer but, it also brings entirely new sensory experiences. The sight of fiery sumach, the feel of cooler air, the taste and smell of warm drinks and foods, and the sound of crisp leaves crunching underfoot.
Do you remember having to memorize and recite this poem when you went back to school in the fall?
Along the line of smoky hills
The crimson forest stands,
And all the day, the blue-jay calls
Throughout the autumn lands.
Now by the brook the maple leans
With all his glory spread,
And all the sumachs on the hills
Have turned their green to red.
Now by great marshes wrapt in mist,
Or past some river's mouth,
Throughout the long, still autumn day
Wild birds are flying south
WILLIAM WILFRED CAMPELL (1858-1918). One of Canada’s “Confederation Poets.”
The leaves of autumn. They are everywhere – first, blazing their colour from the trees and then drifting slowly to the ground, to be collected and waxed for school projects or scrapbooks, raked into the streets for pick-up or massed into piles. Piles that we jumped into or made into bonfires. Leaves long gone but not forgotten as memories of past autumn scents, sounds and sights stir each fall.
The maple tree and leaf have been recognized and heralded as a Canadian symbol since 1834. Since then, the leaf has been used as municipal, provincial and federal emblems on flags, coins, stamps and coats of arms. It is used by social and cultural clubs. Numerous poems and songs have been written. Canadian products such as maple syrup, maple butter and maple candies are always at hand. Foodies use it to flavour ice cream, fudge, jerkies, teas … What would Niagara Falls tourist stands and stores do without maple leaf T-shirts, key chains, ashtrays… Canadian autumn leaf tours are world famous.
The maple tree was officially adopted as the National Arboreal symbol of Canada in 1996. However, the date most meaningful to Chalet lovers is 1967. This was the year that Montreal was host to the International and Universal Exposition. Commonly known as Expo 67, it was a general exhibition and category one world's fair. Drawing more than 64 million visitors from Canada and around the world, Expo 67 ran from April 28th to October 29th..
There were a myriad of driving forces behind Canada’s push for hosting the fair. The original focus was to celebrate Canada’s centennial. Another was to increase national pride in the history, accomplishments of our country. A third was to enhance future economic and immigration prospects of Canada. And no less importantly, to showcase the city and nation on a world stage. At its close, Expo was triumphed as an artistic and cultural marvel.
You are asking – but why and how is this relevant to Chalet Artistic Glass? Well, the federal and provincial governments of Canada were determined that a vital way to showcase Canada’s people and accomplishments was through art and architecture. This began with the design and functions of the Canadian pavilion.
The pavilion's main structure, located on 7 ½ acres on Notre Dame Island, was a large, inverted pyramid called Katimavik. This is the Inuit word for "Gathering Place."
It was open to the sky, 9 storeys tall, 1000 tons with a hollow steel frame, sloping walls featuring giant sculptures of a sun dial, hour glass, compass and Kyogen and Haida masks. Lastly, at its base was a rotating theatre. This had moving wedge-shaped chambers that transported audiences from one screening room to another. A complete rotation took 30 minutes. Smaller linked pyramids, also at ground level, housed the major exhibits: "The Land of Canada," "The Growth of Canada" and "The Challenge to Canadians” and “Canada and the World." To the northeast of the main pavilion, an Arts Centre featured a 500-seat theatre, displays of art and handicrafts, and a reference library.
Chalet Artistic Glass was one of the Canadian companies showcased in the Arts Centre. – by both the federal government and the Government of Ontario. The federal government had commissioned a special piece from Chalet – an art glass maple leaf.
This piece was limited in production, was produced in all the solid colours of the Chalet palette, the blue-green 2 tone colour combination and in two sizes – a 12” and a 14” diameter. They were etched with the “Chalet Canada” signature. At Expo, the larger were given to foreign diplomats and trade ambassadors as gifts. The smaller were available for purchase by the general public.
Photo courtesy of Deborah Patterson. 14” inch gold leaf centerpiece (middle) and 12” 2-tone centerpiece at right from the collection of 50 Shades member Craig Brunetti.
this leaf from the collection of 50 Shader Bob Burgess.
From the collection of 50 Shades’ Kevin Hall.
After their launch at the world fair, Chalet produced a few more limited runs of the leaves.
Some of these have also been found with Chalet labels.
As this piece from the collection of 50 Shades member Raymond Caron illustrates.
On display at the 2010 Chalet exhibit in Cornwall.
Both sizes were shown – the orange is the 12-inch size and the blue is the 14-inch form.
The Government of Ontario did not commission a piece of glass. Instead, Chalet was showcased in a documentary film “A Place to Stand.” Click here to see video.
Although the leaf design of the centerpiece shown above is thought of as the iconic “Chalet leaf”, the company did produce other leaf forms.
A different version of a maple leaf inspired design. It is not often found.
This style is smaller in diameter and lower in height. To date, only solid-coloured leaves of this style have been found.
This style has been found in amber, blue and olive.
It has been found with both the etched “Chalet Canada” and “Russell’s’ signatures.
Another Chalet maple leaf design. To date, this is the only one of this style and colouring that has been discovered.
Very lucky collector and 50 Shades member Jon Saxon is the proud owner if this exquisite Chalet piece.
The second style of Chalet leaf form that has been discovered. Exceedingly rare as well. In fact, at the time of this writing, this is the only verified Chalet “birch” leaf that I have on file.
With the hand engraved BIRKS signature.
Many other Canadian glasshouses of this era also produced leaf centerpieces. This design was produced at Mosaic Artistic Glass.
This leaf retains its Mosaic Artistic Glass label. From the collection of Raymond Caron.
Lorraine Glass Industries produced leaves in both “maple” and “birch” leaf designs. Centerpieces and ashtrays with a leaf shape are found.
A “maple” leaf centerpiece. Retains its country of origin export sticker.
From the collection of Kim Walker.
The “birch” leaf centerpiece and ashtray.
A bowl/centerpiece as the rim has no “butt rests.”
An ashtray.
I have included some maple leaf design examples that we believe were produced by Lorraine. This stunning 2-tone piece.
Owned by 50 Shader Cindy Bishop Loughlin.
And these:
It does not appear that EDAG produced leaf centerpieces. However, I do have examples of EDAG leaf ashtrays.
Altaglass produced at least one style of leaf centerpiece.
Rossi Glass (Niagara Falls 2004-2022) did at least two different maple leaf designs.
A centerpiece in cobalt blue.
And a cranberry bowl.
The leaf was also a popular Murano motif. I can show here that Jordan’s Importing Company (J.I. Co./JICO) did at least two styles over their 20-year company history. Many other styles by many other Italian glasshouses are found.
A “birch” leaf styled piece retaining its original label.
And another. A JICO interpretation of a “maple leaf” style:
Circa late 1960s to mid 1970s. Catalogue page courtesy of 50 Shades member Darlene Spence.
And the Japanese mid-century art glass manufacturer Koshida Glass also made leaf inspired pieces.
This style is not likely to be mistaken for Canadian made but included for interest’s sake.
From the company’s KOF line.
