Paperweight c. late 19th century

This paperweight was crafted by the New England Glass Company, which operated from 1818 to 1888. Encased in translucent green glass are the profiles of a woman and a man, likely depicting a prominent couple of that era. During the 19th century, paperweights like this one became fashionable objects in middle and upper class homes, reflecting a burgeoning culture of both industry and domesticity. They often featured romantic or patriotic symbols, and the likenesses of historical figures. This paperweight offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with celebrity and status. Who were these people rendered in glass? Perhaps, like the paperweight itself, these figures served as reminders of the powerful and wealthy. Contained in glass, the figures are frozen and flattened, devoid of complexity. The glass paperweight transforms private identity into public display.