Paperweight 1830 - 1850

This paperweight was crafted by the Baccarat glasshouse. While undated, its form speaks to a period when glassmaking was both an art and a symbol of luxury. Considered through the lens of labor and identity, such objects prompt us to reflect on the hands that shaped them, often obscured by the allure of the final product. The glasshouse, a site of both creation and industry, involved the work of many artisans whose individual stories may be lost to history. Imagine the heat, the precision required, and the collective effort embedded in this object. This paperweight serves not only as a functional item or decorative piece, but also as a reminder of the complex social fabric of its time. It asks us to consider the value we place on artistry versus utility, and the stories of those who labored to create objects of beauty.