Overview of Art Glass in Canada

Lorraine Glass Industries in Canada operated from 1962 to 1974 in Montreal by glassblowers who came from the glass center of Murano, Italy. They employed a work force of about 30 people producing up to 10,000 pieces of glassware monthly. The colored art glass items are very similar to Chalet glass and some still retain the Lorraine Glass foil label.

In Canada, Murano Glass Inc in Montreal operated from 1960 to 1962 and was originally Les Industries de Verre et Miroirs Limitee which had operated from 1958 to 1960.

In the 1940's through to the 1960's, Chalet Art glass combines the tradition and beauty of Venetian style art glass with modern day techniques. In 1960 the manufacturers stop the use of lead crystal which was where the beautiful, intense colour and strong weight and feel of the artwork comes from. Though some minor imperfections may exist, it is rare to find these pieces in such immaculate condition.

Chalet had factories in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and traded from 1962 to 1980. They brought over Italian (Murano) craftsmen and made very high quality glass. It tends to be in the Murano style, but often with a gothic twist.

Each piece of vintage Chalet glass was individually blown and Chalet has been undervalued when compared to Murano. Their large pieces are very showy so are popular for decorating and they are a top quality glassware. Because of the weight of this glass due to the lead content, always take care when handling the items and never pick them up by the extended "arms" as they are actually quite brittle.

Alta Glass started in 1950 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada with a glassblower from Czechoslovakia. They have a production of colored art glass figurines, vases and baskets.