Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This glass paperweight, made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, features an intricate design encased in crystal. The initial impression is one of kaleidoscopic complexity, with a multitude of tiny, colorful florets arranged in concentric circles. The deep blue background enhances the contrast and intensifies the visual impact. The arrangement of the florets follows a strict radial symmetry, a structure that evokes ideas about order, harmony, and the hidden geometries of nature. The central motif, around which all other elements seem to orbit, anchors the entire composition. The craftsmanship reveals a tension between the organic and the geometric, with the floral forms contained within a rigorously structured framework. This tension destabilizes any fixed reading. The paperweight invites contemplation of the subtle interplay between form and content, order and chaos. It’s a reminder that art's significance lies not only in what it represents, but in how it challenges our perception and understanding of the world.