Chalet artist Roberto De Marchi talks to us about the Chalet amberina line

This article will be short and sweet as, to date, we do not have very much information about nor many photographs of forms from this line. However, I think that in and of itself is very interesting so I think this line needs to be addressed in however much detail that is currently possible. I have no doubt that we will add to this knowledge as time goes by. Therefore, let’s get started!

I spoke to Chalet artist, Roberto De Marchi, recently about the Chalet amberina when I needed to verify a piece for 50 Shades member Melanie Brown Daniels. It “looked Chalet” to both of us but was not an amberina form that either of us had previously seen. Furthermore, neither of us were aware of its equivalent from the Chalet “Canadian Heritage Glass” line and this form was not on any of the catalogue pages I have. Post haste, messages and photographs were sent off to Chalet artist Roberto De Marchi. Artist De Marchi worked extensively with the Chalet hand molded bonbonniere and other Chalet hand molded lines.

The piece in question. AND, the inspiration for this article:

From the collection of Melanie Brown Daniels.

Roberto was not only was able to confirm a Chalet identification but was also able to provide some additional detail concerning pieces from the Chalet amberina line:

Amberina is a type of art glass with a gradient color - fading from red at the top of the piece to amber or paler yellow at its bottom. They were the only 2-tone hand molded pieces in the Canadian Heritage Glass line. Amberina forms were produced using the same molds as the more typical forms from the Heritage Glass line. Indeed, we have found an amberina vase (inventory #842) from a Canadian Heritage Glass catalogue page.

Amberina vase from the collection of Jeremiah Shaver.

This style of Chalet vase has been found with other types of mold design markings as well:

These 2 mold patterns, a swirl and an optic diamond, are the most commonly seen in Chalet hand molded pieces. Both of these designs are seen in the amberina forms as evidenced in the following photos.

The Chalet amberina line was marketed as part of the of the Canadian Heritage Glass line. All the forms in this line are hand molded. The Heritage Glass line was not a tremendously popular line for Chalet and the amberina pieces were an attempt to boost its overall desirability to consumers. Most likely in an effort to attract those who loved the Blenko or Libbey/New England amberina lines which were very popular at the time.

However, the Chalet amberina pieces proved to be not widely popular. This resulted in a very limited number being produced – about once a year, one run of typically 30-40 pieces was made. If a specific order had been received for these forms, up to a 100 might be produced.

You can see from these numbers how rare this form is – most likely less than 800 overall were done throughout Chalet’s operation. These numbers are certainly borne out by the scarcity of the pieces we have found from this line. At present, I have only 4 styles of amberina vases and 3 styles of amberina pitchers in my files with only five vases and only four pitchers. A grand total of 9 distinct verified pieces.

The vases

Another closeup of the very rare piece shown earlier.

The pitchers

Also from the collection of Melanie Brown Daniels.

A smaller version of the pitcher style directly above and below.

However, even with this limited sampling, variation is seen. Most notably in colour and colour placement.

The same style pitcher but note both the colours and the gradient of colour and placement are different. As is the overall shaping within the same style. Pitcher at right from the collection of Melanie Brown Daniels. Photograph at left courtesy of Bradley Atkinson.

Variation in colour and gradient can be less marked:

Under UV. The glow is most likely from selenium and/or cadmium. These pieces will give off a gold/orange/pink glow under a black light. Once again, these pieces from the collection of Melanie Brown Daniels.

Roberto was also able to provide a few more design details as well as clear up some mystery pieces:

The production amberina pieces all had clear attached handles. The pontils were flat – these were not given the petal feet base so often seen in other forms from the Canadian Heritage Glass line.

Although amberina was the only production 2-tone colour within this line, various test pieces in other colours and combinations were produced to determine viability for production under the Canadian Heritage Glass line. These did not go forward and were sold at the Chalet factory store.

Two such examples. Chalet inventory #805:

Note, as well, the coloured attached handles and petal feet bases.

Well folks – that’s all we have – for now! Like I said, I am sure now that the spotlight has been shone on this line, that more will come to light.

Chalet artist Roberto De Marchi talks to us about the Chalet amberina line

Celebrating 5 years of Chalet!