Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This paperweight was made by Baccarat Glassworks. Its circular form is immediately striking, presenting a self-contained world of color and light. The central blue flower, with its radiating petals, draws the eye, while the surrounding garland of smaller blossoms creates a rhythmic, decorative border. The arrangement of elements within the glass dome establishes a clear hierarchy, yet also invites close inspection. The way the light filters and bends through the glass alters our perception, so the object both reveals and obscures its intricate details. The composition invites us to question the nature of representation itself. In this light, the paperweight exists as a microcosm. It suggests that fixed meanings can shift under different conditions. It functions as a symbol of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.