The definition of artifact/artefact is: an item made or given shape by humans, such as a tool or a work of art, in the past. So, let’s take a look at some Chalet objects of “archaeological interest.”
Firstly, and most obviously, we have the glass itself. I had this centerpiece (the cover piece of the 2010 book ‘The Shapes and Colours of Chalet Glass’) signed for collector Alex Wicks by 3 Chalet artists – Gianfranco Guarnieri, and Chalet Maestri Giulio Gatto and Bruno Panizzon.
And we are fortunate enough to have a few original Chalet catalogue pages. These have given us valuable insight into production as well as design evolution. This original Chalet catalogue page was given to me by Chalet Maestro Giulio Gatto in 2010. You can see many familiar forms here but I would bet that few collectors have seen either of the bird dish centerpieces at top left and right. A photograph of form A 77 (bird dish at left) is included but I have never seen form A 78 which is the bird dish at top right. The blue ashtray, A 80, which is second from top at right is from the collection of 50 Shades member Gionny Gueli.
Artefacts in the form of Chalet labels and hang tags have survived. Not only does this basket retain its original Chalet branding, it also retains its retailer's sticker.
This letter was written September 13, 1966 by Chalet President Sid Heyes to a collector, Jim Schemiel, in Minnesota. It obviously made an impact on Mr. Schemiel to have survived for almost 60 years. It passed into the possession of 50 Shades member and collector extraordinaire Kevin Hall when he purchased the piece shown here.
Photograph courtesy of 50 Shades member Roy Prins.
We have historical photographs and film clips. Chalet booth at a 1971 Montreal trade show. These pictures were taken from the National Film Board outake clips from the documentary "Here is Canada."
At left, aerial view of the Cotton Mills complex. Brick at right is from the Canada Mill building where the Chalet factory was located. It was destroyed in a fire in 2010.
A Chalet original poster and another historical photograph. The poster was hung in a public area of the factory. The Chalet premises did not have a fancy showroom. Quite the opposite - it had two cramped spaces carved out of hallways. Seen here is Chalet artist Antonio Tedesco with his niece Fiorella Pagnin and his nephew Francesco Pagnin. They were the son and daughter of Chalet owner, chemist and Maestro Sergio Pagnin. This photograph was given to me by Antonio Tedesco in 2010. He could not remember why or when it was taken.