Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight was produced by the Compagnie de Saint Louis, using glass. Glassblowing and lampworking techniques were required to create this captivating object. Molten glass was skillfully manipulated to form the cobalt blue ground, with delicate gold accents around the edge. But the real showstopper is the realistically rendered salamander, its scales and limbs captured with impressive detail. The weight of the glass lends a sense of quality and permanence, in contrast to the fleeting nature of the papers it holds down. This paperweight represents the fusion of craft and industry, a testament to the skilled artisans who transformed everyday materials into objects of beauty and function. It encourages us to consider the labor, politics, and consumerism inherent in these processes. It highlights the significance of materials and making, challenging the conventional separations between fine art and craft.