Paperweight c. late 19th century

This paperweight was made by George Bacchus & Sons, a British glassmaking firm that operated throughout the 19th century. It’s made of clear glass, encasing complex arrangements of colored glass canes, known as millefiori. The production of millefiori involves a labor-intensive process. Glass rods are formed, fused together, and then stretched to reduce their diameter while maintaining the cross-sectional design. These rods are then cut into small pieces and arranged in a mold before being encased in clear glass. The technique demands skill, precision, and teamwork, reflecting the organized labor typical of 19th-century manufacturing. This paperweight isn’t just a functional object; it’s a showcase of glassmaking virtuosity, and a material demonstration of factory production. Appreciating the artistry involved invites us to reflect on the broader social and economic context in which it was created, and how the division of labor influenced its design and production.