Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight was crafted by Baccarat Glassworks. Its intricate design invites us to reflect on the cultural significance of glass as both a functional object and an art form. During the height of their popularity, paperweights were seen as luxury items, adorning the desks of the upper and middle classes. They became symbols of refinement and taste. In the Victorian era, the collection and display of such objects was a means through which women could express their identity. As such, this simple object tells a complex story of social status, gender roles, and the subtle ways in which personal identity could be asserted through material culture. The blue flower suspended in crystal encapsulates a moment of natural beauty, immortalized and held within reach. It is a reminder of the intersection between nature, culture, and the human desire to capture and preserve the ephemeral.