Paperweight c. 1845 - 1855

Curator: Well, this catches my eye! It looks like a tiny cosmos captured in glass. It makes me wonder what other small wonders we might overlook every day. Editor: Indeed. We’re looking at a paperweight by the Clichy Glasshouse, dating roughly from 1845 to 1855. It’s part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection. I am fascinated with how the artisans compressed nature itself, rendered it symbolic, and encased it. The geometric and floral elements echo mandala-like arrangements found across diverse cultures. Curator: A mandala in glass—that’s spot on. You see that layering, right? First, that dense central rosette. Is it symbolic of enlightenment, a portal into focused intent? Then those swirling tiers... a tiny controlled garden perhaps! It has such a self-contained beauty, a silent and calm world. Editor: The repeated floral motifs certainly play on that idea of the garden. More broadly, they tap into themes of order and beauty imposed on a chaotic world. I see the concentric circles representing stages of existence or interconnectedness, like a microcosm mirroring the macrocosm. This symmetry, however, could also carry the weight of imposed structure on what grows naturally. Curator: That's interesting – the imposed structure. I was totally vibing with the inner peace of the tiny world. It’s funny how objects pull on such different symbolic threads within us! Is the arrangement, or maybe even the colours associated to the court, and luxury? Editor: Colors and arrangement speak the language of power but also the rise of industrial aesthetics appropriating images of nature for the middle class during that period. Consider how many other patterns, images, and shapes were appropriated from art. It creates some fascinating connections between our sense of control, beauty, and artificial nature. Curator: Exactly, and like memories condensed. Thank you so much! I love it. That gave me a lot to ponder about.