Paperweight c. 1850 - 1875

This glass paperweight was made by Clichy Glass Works, though we don’t know exactly when. Embedded within it, many tiny, colorful glass rods are fused together, creating a miniature, self-contained world. Paperweights like this became popular in the 19th century, a time of increased industrialization and mass production, particularly in Europe. The Clichy Glass Works was one of several French factories that specialized in this kind of decorative glass. Consider the social context: as more goods became machine-made, there was also a growing interest in handcrafted, luxury items. Paperweights like this one offered a sense of artistry and intricacy in a rapidly changing world. They were collected and displayed as symbols of taste and refinement. To fully understand this paperweight, we need to look at the history of glassmaking, the rise of industrial design, and the culture of collecting in the 19th century. These kinds of sources help us understand how social, cultural, and economic forces shape the production and appreciation of art.