Paperweight c. mid 19th century

This is a glass paperweight made by Baccarat Glassworks. It's easy to see the charm in this paperweight, but I’d like us to consider the social history it holds. Paperweights like these were luxury items, adorning the desks of the upper class. Within this context, the silhouette of a woman rendered in profile raises questions about gender and representation. Whose image is this? Is it Queen Victoria, who was herself a symbol of power, femininity, and empire? And who was the intended audience? The floral patterns and the delicate glasswork speak to a certain ideal of femininity and taste. This paperweight offers a glimpse into the values and aesthetics of a bygone era, prompting us to consider how gender, class, and identity are reflected in even the most seemingly innocent of objects.