Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was created in Ohio by the Ravenna Glass Company. The weight’s clear glass sphere encases a flurry of colors – white, red, yellow, and blue – suspended in a dance of light and form. Objects like this can be seen as emblems of stability and control in a rapidly changing world. The weight becomes more than functional, offering a sense of stillness. The embedded colors could be seen as a celebration of diversity. Encapsulated, they remind us of the complexities of identity when viewed through different lenses. As you observe the colors mingling in this sphere, think about how the paperweight is both an object of art and a tool of the everyday. It reflects a moment of creativity, and freezes a vibrant microcosm for us to contemplate.