Paperweight c. mid 19th century

Editor: Here we have "Paperweight" from Baccarat Glassworks, dating back to the mid-19th century. The piece is crafted from glass, a miniature portrait, and the George Washington figure encased within gives the work a neoclassical touch. What captures your attention when you view this piece? Curator: Ah, this little bubble of history! What I find so delightful is its dual nature. It’s both grand and intimate. A symbol of power, solidified into a handheld object. It’s as if they’ve taken a monument and shrunk it down to fit in the palm of your hand. What kind of story do you imagine this Paperweight might hold? Editor: Well, maybe a souvenir from a historical landmark? Something commemorating a national hero? I guess it depends who owned it... What does this miniaturization say about the time in which it was produced? Curator: Precisely! It speaks to the burgeoning culture of celebrity, even hero worship. Think about it – reproducing portraits was becoming easier, more widespread. Now, you can literally have a founding father preside over your desk. There is almost a reverence for Neoclassical ideals packaged in accessible format. Do you agree? Editor: It’s amazing how this tiny piece brings such a massive historical weight, right? Like a concentrated shot of a period! Curator: Exactly. A world in miniature. And glass itself! The fragility and permanence, somehow juxtaposed here in this little weighty wonder! Editor: Definitely gives a lot to think about! Thanks for breaking it down like that, I wouldn’t have seen so many angles on my own!