Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This glass paperweight was made by the Baccarat Glassworks, a company that has been based in France since the 18th century. Looking at this object, we might ask what the role of such a beautiful, skillfully-crafted item would have been in its own time. Paperweights like this one gained popularity in the mid-19th century, an era when correspondence was essential to business and social life. The rose is a ubiquitous, and potent symbol, laden with cultural meaning. It evokes themes of love, beauty, and secrecy, aligning with Victorian values and interests. The Baccarat Glassworks was an important factory, and its history tells us a lot about the economic and social importance of luxury goods in modern Europe. An object like this one opens up avenues for historical investigation; with access to company records and other historical documents, we can learn about the relationship between commerce, culture, and the decorative arts.