Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This glass paperweight, crafted by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, presents a fascinating study in form and material. Enclosed within a clear, spherical dome is a delicate floral arrangement. The red flower with green leaves, seemingly suspended, creates an illusion of depth and three-dimensionality. Surrounding the flower, a lattice of white lines distorts our view of what is being represented, playing with our perception. The transparency of the glass and the refractive qualities of the sphere are essential to the piece. The composition, while representational, leans toward abstraction. The semiotic system at play here is complex. The flower itself symbolizes nature, beauty, and fragility. Yet, encased in glass, it exists in a state of preservation. The structure is less about mimesis and more about exploring how materials interact with light and space. The work challenges traditional notions of sculpture. Ultimately, the paperweight invites us to consider the interplay between observation and interpretation.