Paperweight c. 19th century

This exquisite glass paperweight was made by the Clichy Glasshouse between 1837 and 1885. During this period, paperweights were more than mere desk accessories; they were emblems of luxury, gracing the homes of the bourgeoisie during the Industrial Revolution. The delicate arrangement of millefiori flowers frozen in glass invites contemplation, mimicking the Victorian era's fascination with controlled nature and the rise of floral symbolism. But it also speaks to the social stratification of the time, when such artistry was accessible only to a privileged few. Consider the glass-makers themselves, anonymous artisans whose skill and labor enabled the creation of these coveted objects. As you gaze into this small universe held within glass, reflect on how beauty often obscures the stories of those who bring it into being. This paperweight becomes a symbol of a society defined by both its artistic achievements and its deep inequalities.