Chalet 2-tones

Chalet did many pieces in a variety of 2-tone colour combinations. Some Chalet 2-tone combos are seen more frequently while others are exceedingly scarce. The use of 2-tones ranges throughout forms and lines. For example, a 2-tone colour combination is the common standard in the overwhelming majority of the Chalet animal figurines while a 2-tone Chalet “mini” is very rare. At present, no 2-tone Chalet bonboniere have been found. The Chalet animal figurines also show the most variety in 2-tone colour combinations. There is also a limited line of 2-toned pieces which was created and produced by Chalet owners and Maestri Sergio Pagnin and Luigi Tedesco.

2-tone Chalet pieces are most commonly found in the mouth blown forms. However, a handful of two 2-tone colour combinations have been found in both the mouth blown and hand-molded forms as well. These are very rare. We have also discovered a handful of unique 2-tone varietals – Chalet pieces with applied colour attachments or coloured inclusions. The application of leaves, stems, prunts, millefiori or cane was done at the end process – when the form was fully cooled.

As most Chalet pieces are sommerso, sometimes a one colour piece can appear to have two or more colours submerged within its clear crystal layers. This is due to the varying colour placement and the depth of crystal casing of a piece. The exceedingly rare polar bear figurine below is an excellent example of this:

With the exception of one coloured solid animal figurines, which are also rare, Chalet did not produce single colour figurines. Let alone in orange. This exceptional piece is from the collection of 50 Shades member Ken Brewer.

In this figurine, the artist’s obvious mastery of 2 colour placement results in a figurine that actually appears to be multi-toned.

In contrast, but with a “hook,” a piece with 2 truly distinct colours:

Green with another green – to date, the only piece with this 2-tone colour combination. Two distinct shades of green – olive and emerald. Two common Chalet colours but used in a most unusual way. From the collection of Steve Allan.

I have not included the Chalet uranium pieces in this article as 2-tones as collectors see the uranium Chalet as separate entities. As such, there are two articles that focus solely on Chalet uranium forms. Here is the link to the first of those articles. And the second.

Let’s look at the more unique ways that Chalet used “2-tones.”

In the limited olive green/sapphire blue line developed by Maestri Pagnin and Tedesco.

The colour placement in pieces of this line is very precise and distinct.

The two colours are separated by a clear crystal “divider.”

Just a ‘few” from this line on display. Cindy Bishop Laughlin.

As a second colour in applied adornments.

Applied coloured leaves and stem:

This rare Chalet apple from the collection of Jo Highland.

Applied songbird figurines of a different colour than the bowl on the Chalet bird ashtrays:

From the collections of Pina Pina (top left and top right), Alain Frenette (bottom left), and Cindy Bishop Laughlin (bottom right).

And a double 2-tone! This *polivere d’oro* applied bird figurine is a 2-tone all by itself. orange and amber.

An applied fish figurine on a Chalet fish ashtray.

The coloured spots on the Chalet mushroom figurines were applied to the glass at the end – they are broken pieces of round cane. One artist created the stem while the second artist produced the free form cap. This style of Chalet mushroom was produced in 2-man teams quite regularly but in limited numbers – not large production runs.

The only colour combinations in which the Chalet mushroom figurines were produced.

As 2 colours in the “butt rests” of this unusual Chalet ashtray:

As prunt attachments:

In exceedingly rare 2-toned with millefiori:

In 2 colours of inclusions in the Chalet “DNA” paperweights:

A mouth-blown vase:

A very few hand-molded pieces 2-tones have been found.

This piece has an applied second colour:

In the 2-tone hand-molded amberina Chalet:

From the collection of Melanie Brown Daniels.

The majority of 2-toned pieces are hand-blown forms. Both larger and smaller Chalet animal forms are found in 2-tones. The smaller Chalet animal figurines show the widest variety and range in colour combinations.

Notwithstanding, 2-tone larger animal figurines have been discovered in quite a few 2-toned colour combinations. Specifically, bright blue/emerald green, bright blue/olive green, bright blue/orange, cranberry/amber, cranberry/olive, cranberry/blue, olive green/orange, and emerald green/amber.

The large abstract fish figurines, 3 sizes, are seen in a multiple of 2-tone colour combinations.

Swimming in the aquarium of Bob Burgess.

Photograph courtesy of Sabrina Brunetti.

A stunning and unusual colour combination. it is unfortunate that the tail fin is damaged. Photograph courtesy of Cathy Antonyshyn.

As are these figurines:

Photographs courtesy of: Lisa Han Xiaohong (top left), Deborah Patterson (top middle), Jo Highland (top right), and Troy Danby (bottom right).

These figurines are, to date, unique in their size, branding, and colour combo:

This mated pair is blissfully happy with Troy Danby.

Without exception, the smaller Chalet animals have been found in 2-tones. However, the colour combinations, shades, tones, and placement of such is not consistent. There is typical variation.

Example of typical variation – the same colour combination but with different placement.

Cranberry/emerald green Chalet elephant at right from the collection of Kevin Hall.

The same figurine may be found in different 2-tone combos:

The same colour combination is found in different forms:

We have verified Chalet animal figurines in these 2-tones:

-Amber/bright blue

-Amber/cranberry

-Amber/emerald green

-Amber/olive green

-Bright blue/emerald green

-Bright blue/olive green

-Bright blue/orange

-Bright blue/bright gold

-Cranberry/amber

-Cranberry/blue

-Cranberry/olive green

-Cranberry/emerald green

-Emerald green/blue

-Emerald green/purple

-Emerald green/bright gold

-Bright gold/blue

-Bright gold/emerald green

-Olive green/amber

-Olive green/bright blue

-Olive green/cranberry

-Purple/emerald green

The amber colour combinations.

With emerald and olive greens, bright blue, and cranberry:

The amber colour combinations.

Combined with emerald and olive greens, bright blue, and cranberry:

Fish figurine from the collection of Jeanne Legare (top left) and the elephant from Kevin Hall (bottom left).

An amber/olive green “Buddha belly” owl figurine with silver foil!

Tickled ‘silver” onwer - Cindy Bishop Laughlin.

The bright blue colour combinations.

Combined with emerald and olive greens, amber, and orange:

Photographs at both top and bottom left courtesy of Troy Danby.

And an incredible blue/amber dolphin fish with silver foil!

From the amazing collection of Troy Danby.

The cranberry colour combinations.

Combined with bright blue, emerald and olive greens and amber:

The emerald green colour combinations.

Combined with amber, bright blue, cranberry, bright gold, and purple:

From the collections of David Dunkley (pointed ear owl, middle), Jo Highland (fantail songbird, top right), and Troy Danby (paddle tail swan, bottom right).

The bright gold colour combinations.

Combined with bright blue, and emerald green combinations

The cat figurine at left catches mice for Troy Danby.

The olive-green colour combinations.

Combined with amber, bright blue and cranberry:

Split-tail songbird (middle) from the collection of Jonathon Tremblay.

The purple colour combinations.

To date, it has only been found combined with emerald green:

2-tone colour combinations in the larger Chalet hand-blown forms:

-Amber/blue

-Amber/olive green

-Bright blue/emerald green

-Cranberry/blue

-Cranberry/emerald green

-Orange/yellow

-Red/orange

-Rose/blue

-Rose/green

-Yellow/emerald green and

-uniques

The Chalet amber/blue is one of the rarest 2-tone colour combinations. We have found only a few pieces with this colouring: a 4 spike, a “crazy arms” centerpiece, a few “crystal twist” vases and a “crossed arms” centerpiece.

The pieces at left and middle shown here are from the collection of Cindy Bishop Laughlin and the “crystal twist” vase at right is owned by Kevin Hall.

The amber/olive green is seen slightly more often but it is still very rare. 3 styles of ashtrays, basket, bowl, shell, “fingertip” vases and 2 styles of centerpieces have been verified.

A few more:

From the collections of Kevin Hall (centerpiece, top left), Alan Skinner (ashtray, top right), and Darlene Spence (centerpiece, bottom middle).

The most common 2-tone colour combination for both the larger Chalet forms and the animal figurines is the bright blue/emerald green. This was also the most common 2-tone colour palette used by Lorraine Glass Industries so identification confusion can arise. A “tried and true” rule is Chalet is always logical – the sky (blue) above grass (green) while Lorraine is the reverse.

It is obvious that from the onset Chalet knew that this 2-tone line would be both popular and profitable. How? This colour combination, as well as being the most commonly found, has the widest diversification of forms. 6 styles of ashtrays, the “finger” cigar bowl, 3 styles of baskets, 10 assorted styles of centerpieces, 4 different bowl forms, the limited-edition leaf centerpiece, a 4 spike, 12 varieties of vases and a unique form. Moreover, the blue/green pieces have their own Chalet catalogue page. You will see all the forms on this page (and more) shown in the galleries and groupings that follow.

Some amazing groupings:

I found the “fingertip” bowl (left, foreground) in Cornwall. To date, it is the only form like this that has been discovered.

As shown on the catalogue page above.

Photograph courtesy of collector Marc Linder.

The blue/green ashtrays:

The “splash” ashtray at bottom left – Jackie Lyn.

The cigar bowl:

The baskets:

Middle basket from the collection of Dwain Robertson.

3 iconic Chalet centerpiece styles:

Photograph courtesy of Brad McGillivray.

And a few more:

Photographs courtesy of Michael Flink (top left), Erica Mailhiot (top right), and Darlene Spence (bottom left).

And a more unusual centerpiece. This form is seen every now and then. It appears to be an “end-of-day” piece – created to use up material.

Chalet bowl forms are not a common form, so it is very unusual that there are 4 different styles. Let alone in a 2-tone:

Pedestal bowl at top right from the collection of Jeremiah Shaver. “Fingertip” form from the collection of Cindy Bishop Laughlin.

The limited-edition Chalet maple leaf:

The curved arm 4 spike:

The vases:

Photographs courtesy of Ryan Robertson (3-pointed trillium throat, top row), Dawn Tolhurst (3 rounded lobes throat, top row), Cindy Bishop Laughlin (tulip, middle row), Daniel Lynch (splash, bottom row)

And to close out this colour combination – a unique form:

This piece most likely was intended to be a swan centerpiece but whatever the reason (most likely shortage of material), it did not quite get there! I showed these photos to Chalet Maestro Bruno Panizzon and Chalet artist Roberto |De Marchi as there had been some question as to whether it was a broken and then repaired swan centerpiece. Both men answered, “No. This was made like this.” Both were very definite that a broken at the “neck” swan centerpiece could not be repaired as it was too major a job. The piece would have been discarded.

The cranberry/blue 2-tone is seen also frequently and in a fairly wide range of forms.

3 of the fingertip forms: vase, bowl, and platter.

From the collections of Jane Casey (vase at left) and the platter at bottom right – the Zhao family.

A Chalet “crossed arms” centerpiece, a “hook and curls” centerpiece and one of the basket styles.

Jo Highland is fortunate to have these in her remarkable collection.

A “long-arm stretch” centerpiece, another “cross arms,” and a straight arm 4-spike.

It is no surprise that Cindy Bishop Laughlin is the proud owner of these stunners.

And just a few more:

Basket – Deborah Patterson. Crystal twist – Cindy Bishop Laughlin.

Cranberry/emerald green Chalet pieces are not as common as the cranberry blue. They are seen both less frequently and in a more limited variety. Forms in this colour combination are very highly coveted.

Top left photograph courtesy of Michael Flink. Top right piece from the collection of Faye Draper. Middle bottom row from the collection of Jo Highland.

Next up – another collector favourite – the orange and yellow 2-tone colour combination. It is one of the more frequently seen.

In 2010, when I was interviewing Chalet Maestri Panizzon, Gatto, and Guarnieri for “The Shapes and Colours of Chalet Art Glass,” Alex Wicks asked me to get the book’s cover piece (a gorgeous large “crossed arm” centerpiece which he had purchased) autographed for him before I shipped it. So, I took it with me to Cornwall and “the men from Murano” were happy to oblige:

At left, Gianfranco Guarniere, middle Giulio Gatto and Brunoo Panizzon at right.

Pieces that we have found in this colour palette are 3 basket styles, 6 centerpieces varieties, and 7 distinctive styles of vases,

The baskets:

Baskets at middle and right from the collection of Kevin Hall. Both are etched Chantili.

The centerpieces:

From the collections of Roy Prins (top left), Lorne Olafson and Darcy Dietrich (bottom left). Melody Carter (middle), Troy Danby (top right), and Ken Brewer (bottom right).

And once again, we see this odd little form:

A plethora of stunning vases:

Vase at top right from the collection of Cindy Bishop Laughlin and at bottom left – Dave Fricken.

A variation of the Chalet ‘tulip” vase shown at bottom left in preceding gallery.

The non-uranium red/orange Chalet 2-tone is very rare. And once more – highly desired by collectors. Numbers and variety of forms are extremely limited.

A very striking basket:

To date, these are the only 2-tone Chalet candle-holders, of any combination, of which I am aware:

Note the 2 distinct colours – not a *sommerso* blending of one. Photograph courtesy of Malla Birns.

A curved arm 4-spike centerpiece:

While the basket and crossed arm centerpiece are uranium pieces, the 4-spike (at right) is not. From the collection of Pierre Denis.

The vases:

Another exceedingly rare Chalet 2-tone colour combination is the rose/blue:

This jaw-dropping trio – Cindy Bishop Laughlin.

And she has a fourth!

A very rare ‘sleigh” centerpiece:

The rarest Chalet 2-tone combo – rose/emerald green. To date, this is the only piece coloured in this way of which I am aware. I found it in Peterborough, Ontario. But “Never say Never!” to finding more in this palette.

A 2-tone combination which I am sure is going to surprise many – yellow/green. Both of these pieces are bowls from Chalet’s “Scandinavian” styled line.