Paperweight c. 1845 - 1855

This glass paperweight was crafted by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, capturing a universe within its spherical form. The meticulous arrangement of floral motifs immediately draws the eye, echoing ancient symbols of harmony, order, and the cyclical nature of life. Consider the mandala, a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the cosmos. Like the mandala, the concentric circles of flowers invite contemplation, guiding the viewer towards an inner center. This recalls the rosettes in Gothic cathedrals, which were meant to draw the eye upwards, towards the heavens, inducing a state of awe and spiritual reflection. The use of the flower isn’t limited to religious spaces. The flower, in its myriad forms, has been used to signify beauty, transience, and rebirth, reflecting the human subconscious desire for renewal. These motifs, embedded in art across epochs, speak to our shared human experience, engaging us on a profound, subconscious level.