Chalet Glassworks Handblown Tangelo Splash Statement Centrepiece Art Glass Dish, Canadian, 1960-70s

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This exquisite and majestic work of mid-century art glass is attributed and bears the technical hallmarks of Candian art glassworks Chalet Artistic Glassworks originally located in Cornwall, Ontario. (Estd. 1962 to 1975)

Crafted with the heritage of Murano techniques, this particular piece uses the technique of Sommerso [tr. 'Submerged'] to capture the liquid Golden Honey colour into the clear crystal base casing. The impressive 'wings' of the dish are teased outwards from the centre with a gentle twist as the dish unfurls. Further complimenting the form are beautifully and evenly ridged lobes that trace the unfolding form.

This exceptional piece of handblown art glass is most suitable for standalone statement display and can be used either functionally or for aesthetic display.   

CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible and most prominent wear in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.3" / 21 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 18" / 46 cm in Length (across longest point). Width measurements: c. 9" / 23 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.3 kg / 2,305 g

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY 
Chalet Artistic Glass (Estd. 1962 to 1975) Chalet glass was founded in 1958 in Montreal as Les Industries de Verre et Miroirs before changing its name to Murano Glass in 1960. After a devastating fire, the glassworks moved to Cornwall after encouragement from federal government financial incentives, resuming production in 1961.

The glassworks was Canada’s first handmade decorative glassware company founded by three master glass artists from Venice: brothers Angelo and Luigi Tedesco and Sergio Pagnin. Experiencing success, additional Venetian glassblowers were hired as well as local, Cornwall-based assistants. 

Early production was in the style of traditional Venetian glass that was ornate, following the joining of Sid Heyes from Toronto as its first president, and Garry Daigle as sales manager, Angelo Tedesco and the glassblowers were persuaded towards simpler styles.

Production shifted to the fluid lines and heavy free-form style of what is known as stretch glass and sales began to soar. The glassworks name was finally changed to Chalet Artistic Glass in 1962. Pieces were produced in attention captivating vivid, jewel tones in the 1960s and the organic, flowing shapes were exciting. The range was broad, including centrepieces, bowls, vases, candleholders, baskets, goblets, birds and animals. Chalet Glass entered the United States and Commonwealth markets with more than 400 shapes. 

Despite the glass artists incredible skill, there were problems within the business operations and sadly, the glassworks went bankrupt in 1975 

 THE ITEM

The sculpture has the form of a bear walking, capturing the ambulatory nature of the wandering bear in a still snapshot. The underglaze is almost black but, with the right lighting, shines with an iridescent sheen of blues and purples.

The green drip glaze flows from the spine of the bear, the crown of its head, the tips of its ears, the tops of its paws as well as extra dots of this contrasting glaze on its nose and eyes.

The variation in colour and the effect of gravity on the glaze evokes imagery of the Boreal forests surrounding the Blue Mountains, which the glaze is said to be inspired by. Or perhaps the shading of the glaze resembles moss growing on the bear frozen in time.

An interesting property of the glaze is that the glaze is not opaque - if a bright light is shone upon the bear, the brown shades of the clay underneath begin to shine through. This particular form of the bear was available as part of the Blue Mountain Pottery range from the 1970s.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. There is very light crazing across the piece and movement wear (wear that is commensurable with age of piece) on the underside of the feet - please see photos as part of condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Measures c. 11" / 28 cm long (from snout to back foot) x c. 4.25" / 11 cm wide (across its widest point) x c. 5.5" / 14 cm tall.
Unpackaged weight: c. 0.7 kg / 697 g

NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Blue Mountain Pottery was founded by Josef Weider in Collingwood, Ontario just after World War II, and was named after the neighbouring Blue Mountains. Blue Mountain Pottery, also known as BMP, produced a range of pieces such as kitchenware, vases, ashtrays and bowls, as well as a variety of animal forms.

The Blue Mountain glaze effect was hand-produced with a 2-step brush and dip process, resulting in each piece being unique. Blue Mountain Pottery eventually closed in December 2004.

 THE ITEM

These sculptures feature the proud forms of two rearing horses, creating a fantastic display of strength. The under glaze is near black, but reveals an iridescent sheen of slick blues, greens and copper tones.

A green drip glaze runs from the top of the head and down the back, with a touch of glaze on the forelegs and under the rear legs. A skillful inclusion of drip glaze on the mane, legs and tail creates a negative highlight that brings another dimension to each piece.

The variation in colour and the effect of gravity on the glaze evokes imagery of the Boreal forests surrounding the Blue Mountains, which the glaze is said to be inspired by. 

An interesting property of the glaze is that the glaze is not opaque - if a bright light is shone upon a horse, the brown shades of the clay underneath begin to shine through. This particular form of horse was available as part of the Blue Mountain Pottery range from the 1970s.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or scratches. One sculpture has the original Blue Mountain Pottery label on the underside. There is very light crazing across the pieces, wear that is commensurable with age of piece) on the underside - please see photos as part of condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Measures c. 12" / 30.5 cm tall (from tallest point to base ) x c. 2.8" / 7 cm wide (base width) x c. 8.3" / 21 cm in length (from fore hoof to end of tail)
Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,330 g

NOTES
Sculptures will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Blue Mountain Pottery was founded by Josef Weider in Collingwood, Ontario just after World War II, and was named after the neighbouring Blue Mountains. Blue Mountain Pottery, also known as BMP, produced a range of pieces such as kitchenware, vases, ashtrays and bowls, as well as a variety of animal forms.

The Blue Mountain glaze effect was hand-produced with a 2-step brush and dip process, resulting in each piece being unique. Blue Mountain Pottery eventually closed in December 2004.

Presenting an excellent work of creative glaze decor by American pottery Freeman-McFarlin. This piece is from Freeman-McFarlins Fine Arts Line, with the form of the ceramic dish bearing an abstract bear paw print. The golden toned glaze is a dispersed dappled effect of matte and gloss glaze, creating an unusual effect, such as what might be found when ice freezes on glass. 

The circular depression of the paw print bears a pale duck egg blue gloss glaze, brushed outwards from the centre and at the centre, sits a hint of charcoal glaze. The abstract and simply designed form of the dish is a superb canvas for the richly detailed glaze. 

A BIT OF HISTORY

Freeman McFarlin was founded by Gerald McFarlin and Maynard Anthony Freeman in the 1927 and they operated McFarlin Potteries in El Monte California.

Early production took place at the El Monte factory, and in 1968 a second plant was added in San Marcos due to the popularity of the pieces; however the success was short lived and The El Monte factory closed permanently in 1975 with operations consolidating at the San Marcos plant.

In 1980 Hagen-Renaker bought the San Marcos plant and acquired all of the Freeman-McFarlin Pottery operations. Hagen-Renaker continued to use many of Freeman McFarlin designs and continued to make figurines until the factory closed in 1986. 

Freeman McFarlin used multiple colours on their figurines including light/tan brown, gold leaf, silver leaf, yellow, red, black, green, brown, white, and a lladro like blue/white. White and gold were by far the most common colours. Freeman McFarlin also produced ceramic wall hangings of mermaids and other characters that are hugely popular.

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or scratches. There is mild age wear (gentle crazing) that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The back of the plate bears the original 'Freeman-McFarlin, Originals, Fine Arts Line, El Monte, California' label and also 'Crystal Crackle Jewel Glaze' description label. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 1.4" /  3.5 cm thick (from base to rim) x c. 9" / 23 cm in diameter. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 377 g

NOTES

Ceramic will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
In the words of the artist, 'glamorous' is the best word to describe the Winged bottle. The winged is side dipped twice and dynamically twisted by hand.

A sumptuous bottle with the hot pink elegantly cased in clear glass and refracting into the gentle twists of the bottles form. The bottle can be functional or displayed as a small sculpture.

This particular piece is a rare find as it is one of the very early creations from when Michael Trimpol first established his Hotglass studio in 1989, a modern version of the bottles design is still in production now.

CONDITION

Excellent, only a few movement marks to the base commensurable with age.
The base bears Trimpol's signature, the etched '1989' denoting its age.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 6.5" / 16 cm tall (with stopper), 5" / 13 cm (without stopper) x c. 5" / 13 cm wide across bodys widest point.

Unpackaged weight: c. 1 kg / 975 g

NOTES
Item will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Michael Trimpol was first introduced to glass working during a high school stained glass course in Stowe, Vermont. He pursued a career in stained glass while attending Concordia University in Montreal designing and creating many residential commissions as well as several public installations. Frustrated with the limitations of the two dimensional process, he enrolled at Sheridan College School of Craft & Design in Mississauga, Ontario to learn the art of glassblowing.

Upon graduation in 1985, he was accepted for a residency at Harbourfront Craft Studios, one of Toronto's most popular tourist destinations. Shortly after he left Harbourfront in 1989, he established his own company Hotglass Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario for which he designed and created a full line of blown glass products.

In 1995, Michael relocated to Stowe, Vermont and founded Little River Hotglass Studio. He currently designs and manufactures a diverse body of product in addition to overseeing the operations of the studio.