Doorknob c. 1848 - 1855

Curator: Before us, we have a "Doorknob," crafted by George Bacchus & Sons sometime between 1848 and 1855. It's a delightful example of decorative art using glass and paper. Editor: The first word that comes to mind is "charming". The circular design is captivating, isn't it? All those miniature, colorful florets suspended in glass… the concentric rings draw the eye inwards. Curator: Indeed. Glass paperweights like this doorknob became incredibly popular during the mid-19th century as novelties for the burgeoning middle class. It represents an interesting intersection of industrial manufacturing techniques and decorative artistry, making beauty accessible. Editor: There's a sense of playful order, the way each flower-like millefiori seems meticulously placed. Notice how they encircle a central green octagon. Within it there's a small keyhole-shaped silhouette! It provides such a curious and subtle focal point. Curator: Exactly! The keyhole motif speaks volumes. Doors, keys, and knobs were potent symbols of access, status, and social mobility within Victorian society. The knob would grant or deny access; ownership itself being displayed in that very ornament. Editor: Beyond the socio-political dimension, the craftsmanship itself impresses me. It required a mastery of glassblowing to arrange so much complexity within that dome. I imagine the subtle distortions from the curved surface further playing with light. Curator: And of course, that little paperweight could've become part of an affluent parlor setting. This doorknob adds a narrative of home, aspiration, and display onto everyday Victorian life. The George Bacchus & Sons company understood the social signals the object conveyed. Editor: Looking at it now I also recognize it provides the pleasure of observing, in great detail, a microcosmic view of craftsmanship that has otherwise disappeared. Curator: It serves as a nice encapsulation of how mass-produced objects nonetheless become important cultural objects. It brings questions around display, aspirations and identity that it represents. Editor: A charming portal into the past; even if, literally, an entryway!