Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This mesmerizing paperweight, crafted by the Clichy Glasshouse between 1837 and 1885, captures the eye with its spiraling bands and central floral motif. The flower, a symbol deeply rooted in human consciousness, speaks to themes of life, death, and rebirth. Consider the ancient Egyptian use of the lotus, a flower representing the sun and creation, or the rose, a symbol of love and secrecy, found in countless Renaissance paintings. Here, in this delicate glass form, the flower's persistent symbolism takes on a new guise. The spiral too, is an ancient form. From the labyrinthine paths of Minoan Crete to the swirling galaxies depicted in modern astrophysics, spirals represent the cyclical nature of time, of life's journey, of continuous growth and decay. As the bands draw inward to the flower's heart, we are subconsciously reminded of the concentrated energy at the center of all things.