Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight was made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis. It is made of glass, but don’t let its humble function fool you. This is an object born of intense labor, showmanship, and a sophisticated understanding of the marketplace. The technique, called millefiori, involves creating tiny glass rods, bundling them together, heating the mass until it can be stretched into a cane, and then slicing this crosswise to reveal the intricate design. These miniature components can then be arranged and encased in clear glass. The result is a jewel-like microcosm, a frozen garden. The appeal of paperweights was that they presented complex glass work, traditionally seen in luxury items, in an affordable, collectible format. This brought artistry into everyday life. The Compagnie de Saint Louis was one of the great firms that transformed glassmaking, bringing these traditional skills into a modern industrial context.