Paperweight c. 19th century

This delicate glass paperweight was crafted by the Clichy Glasshouse in France between 1837 and 1885. Encased within its clear dome, we see a meticulously rendered floral design. But consider, why a paperweight? In the 19th century, as bureaucratic systems expanded, so did the need to manage the increasing flow of documents, and the paperweight emerged as a symbol of burgeoning administrative power. Yet, within this functional object, we also see a desire for beauty and refinement, speaking to the values of the rising middle class. The Clichy Glasshouse, like other manufacturers, catered to this market. Their work reflects the social and economic structures of the time. Investigating company records and period advertisements could offer insights into the market forces shaping the production of such objects. Through art, we can better understand the society that produced it.