Canadian Vintage Art Glass: Frosty the Snowman, An EDAG Masterpiece

Occasionally, a piece of glass plunges me into profound marvel. On an outing to visit my cherished antique dealer friends, I found myself in a space owned by an acquaintance of theirs. As I meandered, admiring the array of exquisite vintage and antique gems, bypassing numerous pieces of furniture, pottery, and trinkets, I was about to say my goodbyes when my gaze was drawn to a corner. Without a second thought, I blurted out, "That's a Danilo creation!" For those unacquainted with the Canadian vintage art glass scene, Danilo Pavanello, also known as Maestro Danilo Pavanello, was the visionary behind EDAG glass, a highly collectible vintage glass studio of the 60s and 70s. There stood a delightful EDAG Frosty the Snowman, his rotund form, azurro (blue) eyes and buttons, topped with a distinctly Italian hat, brought a smile to my face.

As an avid collector of EDAG glass, I've honed the skill to identify an EDAG piece amidst a sea of glassware. Let's delve into the characteristics that revealed this piece's EDAG origins. The snowman's form features the signature EDAG ribbed glass, exclusive to their pure cristallo creations. This ribbing, also seen in the EDAG candlesticks, some animal figurines and other forms in their catalogue, is a hallmark of their design. For those interested in exploring more, consider acquiring a copy of the EDAG book, which showcases these designs in detail. Below we can see the snowman alongside two other pieces in cristallo with the EDAG ribbing.

My attention was immediately captured by the snowman's eyes, where the unique inner circle marking, a common trait in EDAG pieces, was evident. The choice of blue for the eyes, a favored hue of the Maestro for his creations, added to its charm. The buttons and quaint button nose complemented the eyes beautifully.

His outstretched arms seemed to invite a warm embrace, and at their ends, the 'V' tool marks, often found in EDAG pieces, were visible. The hat, reminiscent of one my Nonno (grandfather) used to wear, featured a red brim and a blue top, showcasing the Maestro's flair for design.

These details struck me all at once as I reached out for him, and upon inspection, the presence of an EDAG sticker confirmed my suspicions. The snowman's origin story may have been obscured over time, but it's evident that his previous caretaker cherished him dearly. Judging by the pristine condition of the glass and the sticker, it's likely he had only one owner before coming into my possession. Perhaps he spent his days in a curio or was tucked away and forgotten, mysteries we'll never unravel. Yet, his narrative continues, now interwoven with mine.

Some Thoughts from the Maestro

To conclude this blog, I'd like to share some insights from Maestro Danilo Pavanello regarding this piece. Whenever I discover an EDAG masterpiece, I make it a point to pass the photos along to the Maestro for his reflections. Inquiring about the origins of this particular piece, whether it was a bespoke commission, he mentioned that it might have been, although he couldn't recall the specifics. It's equally plausible that it was a spontaneous creation, a practice he often indulged in, giving birth to many unique gems. In essence, the Maestro suggested that creating something of this nature would have been a leisurely pursuit for him, accomplished with ease and enjoyment.