Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was created by the Clichy Glasshouse in France sometime between 1837 and 1885, using lampworking techniques to shape molten glass. The Clichy factory was known for its millefiori paperweights, in which many small glass rods are bundled together to create complex patterns. But this example is different. Here, we see a blue flower with green leaves, seemingly suspended within the clear glass dome. This naturalistic effect would have been achieved by softening different colors of glass over a flame, and carefully building up the composition bit by bit. The making of paperweights like this took great skill, of course. But also close teamwork, with different artisans specializing in different elements of the design. These objects were luxury items, yet they were made in large numbers, with their motifs referencing the natural world, but existing firmly within the landscape of industrial production. By considering how the material qualities of glass can be shaped to create effects of depth and color, we begin to see how this paperweight blurs the line between craft and industry.