Paperweight c. 20th century

This glass paperweight, of unknown date and authorship, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I like to think about the intense heat that was necessary to make this small sculpture. The artist would have watched and waited, patiently, until the glass took shape. I am especially drawn to the subtle colors which shimmer across its surface. I can imagine the artist experimenting with different techniques, temperatures, and materials, in pursuit of this iridescence. It takes curiosity and perseverance to reach for these subtle effects. The anonymous artist is participating in a long conversation with glass blowers across time. Each artist builds on the knowledge and discoveries of those who came before, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this medium. The end result celebrates both the beauty and the labor involved in its creation.