Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This paperweight was made by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, and you can see it here at the Art Institute of Chicago. It is made of glass, of course, but don't let its small size fool you. A great deal of skill was needed to create this object. The glass would have been heated to high temperatures, and then manipulated using tools and practiced techniques. Look closely and you'll notice delicate floral motifs encased within. These details were created through a technique called lampworking, where glass rods are heated and shaped with precision. What is also very interesting, is the contrast between the detailed work inside the glass, and the clarity and simplicity of the glass itself. It looks so smooth and effortless, but it is anything but! Consider how this object would have been used: to hold down paper. The paperweight transforms something functional into an object of beauty, elevating the everyday through skillful making. This lovely object shows how the crafts are tied to the history of industrial production, and the value we place on skilled work.