Chalet Paperweights

There are no catalogue pages or inventory numbers for the Chalet paperweights – very little is known about them. When they were made and by whom is a total mystery. Nevertheless, we can still make some pretty good assumptions. The most obvious being that the paperweights are among the rarest of the Chalet pieces. To date, we have seen perhaps 20.

 Let’s get up and personal with a video.

I am very fortunate to have acquired one very early on in my collecting. However, it was not until the 2010 Chalet exhibit that I would learn how truly remarkable this was. When Chalet Maestro Bruno Panizzon and I were touring the exhibit, he saw it on display and it was a “Never say Never” moment for him. He could not believe that it was Chalet and was still shaking his head when I showed him the etched signature.

My first signed ‘Chalet Canada’ paperweight. On display at the 2010 ‘Art & Artisans of Chalet Glass’ exhibit, Cornwall, Ontario. For more information regarding the exhibit, please refer to the pages on Chalet’s history. https://www.chaletvintageartglass.ca/the-history

Since Maestro Panizzon was at Chalet from 1962 until its closure in 1975 and was a Master and had never seen or heard of the paperweights, this leads me to believe that they were done by either Maestro Luigi Tedesco or Maestro Sergio Pagnin – both Chalet owners as well as Masters. Further evidence in support of this belief is that the paperweight inclusions would have had to be ordered – no Chalet artists were ever involved in obtaining any sort of product for production. That was simply not part of their responsibilities or authority. Moreover, we know from the artists that production of special orders or one-of-a-kind or limited line pieces was directed solely by the owners. Lastly, we know, again, from the artists, that very often special work was done at night or on the weekends outside of regular factory operating hours. So, suffice to say – I think that these factors very logically account for  Maestro Panizzon’s surprise.

 During the years following the exhibit, my good luck continued and I was able to add several more to my collection. I have had a few others but was not ‘in love’ so passed them along to new homes.

Paperweights presently in my collection. All etched ‘Chalet Canada.’

The paperweights are most typically egg shaped, produced with intentional inclusions, usually measure between 3-4” in height and seem to have been produced in 4 designs – the iris, the “DNA spiral”, the “confetti” and the “sea anemone”. And, with the exception of the multi-coloured “confetti”, the designs appear to have been done in 2 colours. Regarding their markings, I have seen one with a Chantili sticker and 2 others with the small gold Chalet ‘lead Crystal’ label as well as the etched signatures. For more information and photos regarding Chalet branding, please refer to ‘Chalet Crystal Clear.’ https://www.chaletvintageartglass.ca/the-books

I was told that this paperweight was one of a dozen that the Province of Ontario commissioned from Chalet in honour of a Quebec trade delegation. The inclusion is of the blue flag iris, the flower native to Quebec that most closely resembles the fleur-de-lis. In 1999, after years of delay, the Quebec government finally gave into public pressure and, replacing the Madonna Lily, made the Blue Flag Iris  Quebec's provincial emblem. Please be advised, however, that I have no documented proof of this. It is the second colour of the iris design - see orange coloured above.

The Chalet ‘confetti’ design.

The ‘sea anemone’ style and colours.

The “DNA” spiral’ paperweight design and colours.

Although the Chalet ‘DNA’ design typically has only 2 coloured strands, we have found a ‘Never say Never” paperweight in this design that has 5 different coloured inclusions. The red, orange and green that is seen above is mixed in this one-of-a-kind piece by strands of blue and white as well.

Photograph courtesy of Don Smith, Cornwall Community Museum.

As you saw in the video, these are not my only Chalet paperweights.

One of my favourite little oddities. Also acquired very early in my collecting.

Definitely a ‘Never say Never’ piece. I believe this may be a one-of-a-kind Chalet piece as to date, this is the only Chalet paperweight that I know of like this. Not egg shaped and bullicante as well. Etched with the ‘Chalet Canada’ signature. It is interesting that all the larger Chalet pieces that we have seen that are bullicante (fewer than a dozen) are amber – including this one. However, you will see bullicante and/or avventurina blue animals. For more information regarding those pieces, please refer to pages 24, 238 and 239 in ‘Chalet Artistic Glass Collectors’ Guide and Catalogue.’ https://www.chaletvintageartglass.ca/the-books

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