Paperweight c. 19th century

This glass paperweight, crafted by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, encapsulates more than mere decoration. It presents us with cherries, symbols deeply rooted in cultural memory. Cherries, often associated with sweetness and temptation, echo through centuries of art and literature. Think of the forbidden fruit, or the fleeting nature of pleasure. In medieval art, cherries sometimes accompany the Virgin Mary, representing heavenly sweetness or the fruit of paradise. Consider how this symbol has travelled—from religious iconography to secular emblems of delight. There's an inherent duality, a tension between innocence and desire, reflecting our complex relationship with pleasure. The clustering of cherries here, encased in glass, might evoke feelings of longing or preservation, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The paperweight becomes a vessel, holding not just fruit, but also our collective memories and desires associated with them. The cherry endures, a testament to how symbols morph and resurface, laden with layers of meaning, each time a new encounter.