Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was produced by the Compagnie de Saint Louis and is an object of contained beauty. Paperweights like these were luxury items, a testament to both artistry and industrial capability. They often captured fleeting moments of beauty from nature. Think about the era in which this object would have been popular. Images of ripe fruit were often stand-ins for sensuality. Consider how the weight of the glass here might symbolize the weight of expectations placed on women, particularly in the Victorian era. The clear encasement might make us think about themes of preservation, but also restriction. The cherries, forever ripe, never decaying. Ultimately, this paperweight invites reflection on desire, control, and the delicate balance between preservation and constraint.