Paperweight c. 1845 - 1855

This paperweight was made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, but we don’t know exactly when. This object gives us insight into the cultural moment it was made. Consider its purpose: to hold down paper. Now, paper itself is a technology, and its proliferation allowed for the rise of bureaucracy, capitalism, and the scientific revolution. Its impact on social and institutional structures is immense. The paperweight is then like a jewel for the desk, hinting at the wealth and social status of its owner. This particular paperweight is made of glass, with complex floral designs. The history of glassmaking goes back millennia and, like paper, it has transformed human life. Glassmaking requires a very particular skillset, and the Compagnie de Saint Louis was celebrated for its technical innovation. To understand this paperweight more fully we would need to look more closely at glass-making guilds, the impact of industrialization, and the emergence of the decorative arts. Its beauty is tied to its historical moment.