Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was created by the Clichy Glasshouse sometime between 1837 and 1885. It encapsulates a moment in French history when industry and art began to intertwine. During this period, the decorative arts flourished, catering to an expanding middle class with a taste for luxury and novelty. The Clichy Glasshouse was renowned for its exquisite glass creations. This paperweight reflects the era's fascination with the natural world, rendered here in delicate, stylized form. It presents a seemingly simple flower, but it also reflects the complex social and economic forces at play. These paperweights were not just functional objects, but statements of taste and status. To truly understand this object, we need to consider the broader context of 19th-century French society. Archival research into the Clichy Glasshouse and the social history of decorative arts can offer insights into the world of its makers and consumers. Art like this reveals the values and aspirations of its time, and reminds us that every object has a story to tell.