Canadian Vintage Art Glass: EDAG Glass Masterpiece – Birds on a Tree

EDAG (Elio Danilo Art Glass) Crystal or EDAG Glass produced high-quality sculpted or blown glass in Montreal, QC, during the 1960s and 1970s. EDAG Glass is considered the highest quality Canadian vintage art glass produced to many collectors. Highly collectible in today’s market, EDAG’s uniqueness stems from its deep Venetian glass roots. Maestro Danilo Pavanello, then owner of EDAG Crystal and head Maestro of the hotshop, infused much of his Murano-style expertise into his Canadian works of art. It is with great enthusiasm that I unveil yet another EDAG glass masterpiece. Be sure to check out some of the previous glass masterpieces: click here for the Papagallo, here for Frosty the Snowman, here for the Elf on the shelf and click here for EDAG Tie dye. This piece of glass art represents a serene scene of two lovely birds perched on the Maestro’s rendition of a large tree. I present to you the EDAG Birds on a Tree, and we will explore every intricate detail of this magnificent work, unearthing the story the Maestro left behind.

The first part of our exploration involves analysing the piece as a whole. We see two birds perched on a large ribbed blue structure with two smaller Cristallo pieces containing gold foil. As a whole, it is clear that this piece represents two birds on a type of natural structure. The entire piece measures 14 inches tall, with the base measuring 8.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches long. The predominant colour in this piece is a rich blue, elegantly paired with clear EDAG Cristallo and subtle hints of gold that immediately catch the eye. As with many of Maestro Danilo Pavanello’s creations, blue is used to accentuate the birds’ eyes, beaks, and head features. Although blue is a recurring theme, it’s worth noting that other eye and beak colours have occasionally been used in different works.

Let’s now break down the individual elements, starting with the two birds. The birds are hand-moulded from EDAG’s ribbed Cristallo, one of the company’s signature clear glass creations. This same ribbed Cristallo is seen in EDAG’s Frosty the Snowman. Both birds feature striking blue eyes, beaks, and head feathers, or bristles. They measure approximately 7.25 inches long and 6.5 inches tall. Maestro Pavanello had a notable affinity for birds, and these particular ones are meant to represent pheasants, particularly the pheasants adorned with head bristles. If you look at certain pheasant species, you’ll find stunning examples with brilliant blue plumage and bristles, an inspiration clearly reflected in this creation. Each bird was individually moulded and then placed on the larger structure using Cristallo glass.

After marvelling at the birds, our attention shifts to the large, ribbed blue structure they are perched upon. At first glance, due to its ribbed texture and flowing form, one might assume it represents a wave. However, logic dictates that birds wouldn’t typically ride a wave. As art doesn’t always have to adhere to logic, I sought clarification from Maestro Danilo Pavanello, who confirmed that this structure is infact a tree trunk. The extension at the base, where the second bird rests, is simply a creative flourish—an artistic interpretation of the tree trunk extending to meet the earth. The trunk is moulded in the same blue as the birds’ eyes, beaks, and head feathers/bristles, creating a beautiful sense of cohesion within the piece.

Lastly, our eyes are drawn to the two smaller glass elements containing gold foil. When asked about these, Maestro Pavanello shared that they represent leaves. The gold foil within them creates a glistening effect, reminiscent of leaves shimmering in sunlight.

Also verified by Maestro Danilo Pavanello it’s important to note that this piece was not part of EDAG’s regular production line and was not heavily produced. While EDAG has created other variations of birds on trees or branches, each of these creations is vastly unique. None share the same type of bird, colour palette, or tree depiction. Additionally, I’ve learned from Maestro Pavanello that he was open to custom orders and produced many one-of-a-kind pieces for clients. This is hardly surprising, given the vast number of EDAG glass legends or masterpieves we’ve explored on the website and the abundance of unique creations featured in the EDAG book, Maestro Danilo Pavanello & EDAG.