Chatelaine

By Barb Chamberlain

Chatelaine, a pattern from the Imperial Glass factory, was originally given the #407 1/2 pattern number. It was made in crystal glass before being used in carnival glass. Often when a pattern was made prior to carnival glass, a company would use those crystal pieces and iridize them with marigold iridescence. However, to my knowledge, no old marigold pieces are known. Terry Crider has iridized a few tumblers, but they should have a signature on the bottom.

Only pitchers and tumblers are known, and the only color known is purple. Usually, they are found with the excellent iridescence for which Imperial purple is known.

Marion Hartung probably named this pattern Chatelaine and possibly called it this because of the resemblance to a piece of jewelry called a chatelaine. According to an article by Lee Markley, the word chatelaine comes from the French, meaning female castle-keeper. This name would be in keeping with the jewelry piece of the same name, because a chatelaine was made to hang from a lady’s waist, with multiple chains hanging down from a pin to keep useful items hooked to each individual chain. Things that might be attached would be thimble cases, coin purses, whistles, foldable crochet hooks, keys, and numerous other small items. I imagine a chatelaine would probably not be found in homes of modest means.

As you can see on the front of the pitcher there are six chain-like columns extending from the smooth top band to the bottom above the collar base. There are, of course, fewer of these chain-like columns on the tumblers. Separating the columns on both pitcher and tumblers are two hobstars with a fan type ligure at the top.

This article first appeared in the ICGA Pump in the March 2023 issue and is reprinted with permission.