Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This paperweight was made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, and is a showcase of glassmaking virtuosity. It's created through a complex process called lampworking, in which glass rods are heated and manipulated with tools to form intricate floral motifs, which here are embedded inside a clear dome. The weight’s smooth, tactile form invites handling. The floral decorations are simultaneously delicate and robust, protected as they are within the solid glass matrix. The act of making these objects involves a considerable amount of skill. The glassmaker needs to have perfect control over their tools and materials. Paperweights like these were luxury items, a testament to the skill of European glassmakers, and the wealth of a growing middle class who sought beautiful, handcrafted objects for their homes. So, we can see how materials and making are tied to the history of labor and consumption, blurring the boundaries between art and craft.