Paperweight c. late 19th century

This paperweight was made by the New England Glass Company, sometime between 1818 and 1888. It's an exquisite example of glassmaking, a material that moves between the industrial and the artistic. The process involves trapping delicate, colorful glass flowers and a complex latticino structure within a clear glass dome. This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about demonstrating extraordinary skill. Glassblowing requires a mastery of heat, timing, and breath control. The embedded floral arrangement and the intricate white filigree show the maker's ability to manipulate molten glass with precision, a dance between control and fluidity. This object reflects the social context of its time, when factories like the New England Glass Company were experimenting with mass production, while still depending on the virtuosity of individual artisans. It challenges our definitions of art and craft, and reminds us that beauty can be found in the ingenuity of the human hand, even within an industrial setting.