Paperweight c. 1851

This intriguing paperweight was created by the Clichy Glasshouse between 1837 and 1885, and it's made from glass using a technique called millefiori, which means "a thousand flowers". The process involves arranging tiny glass rods to form intricate patterns, which are then encased in clear glass. This particular example features a striking silhouette of a woman's head, likely made using lampworking, where glass is heated and shaped with tools and manual manipulation. The weight and clarity of the glass are integral to its function, pressing down papers, but the artistry involved elevates it beyond mere utility. The Clichy Glasshouse, like other factories of its time, employed skilled artisans who likely repeated similar designs, balancing individual craftsmanship with factory production. This paperweight challenges our notions of fine art versus craft, inviting us to appreciate the labor, skill, and design inherent in everyday objects.