Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, and it's a fascinating example of how glass can be used to capture an image. Paperweights like these weren't just decorative. They reflect the rise of industrial production in the 19th century, where skilled artisans adapted their techniques to create objects for a growing middle class. The profile portraits are not painted on the surface, but rather made up of tiny glass rods bundled together, heated, and then stretched, so that the image runs all the way through. Then a slice is taken and encased in clear glass. Imagine the coordination that this took. The level of detail is stunning, considering the material. The weight of the glass itself adds to the object's appeal, a solid, tangible reminder of the labor and skill involved in its creation. Looking closely, we can appreciate how this paperweight bridges the gap between art, craft, and industry, raising questions about value and the democratisation of luxury.