Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight was created by the Clichy Glasshouse in France sometime between 1837 and 1885, using lampworking techniques. Molten glass rods of different colors are carefully arranged and fused together, then encased in clear glass. Note the intricate floral patterns, particularly the concentric rings of millefiori, Italian for "thousand flowers." Each tiny floret requires skilled manipulation of the hot glass. This wasn't just art; it was a display of technical prowess, aligning with the period’s fascination with industrial production and decorative elaboration. Consider the labour involved, the skilled glassworkers, and the social context of luxury goods and burgeoning industrial capitalism in 19th-century France. This seemingly simple object encapsulates a complex interplay of material, process, and social meaning, blurring the boundaries between craft and fine art.