Paperweight c. mid 19th century

This paperweight was crafted at the Baccarat Glassworks, and its clear glass immediately draws you in. Notice how the composition focuses on a central portrait, encased in a circular form, which creates a sense of depth and containment. The portrait, rendered in cool tones, contrasts with the warm red and white stripes encircling it. This juxtaposition of colors and forms creates a dynamic tension within the piece. The stripes are like little windows around the centre. It challenges conventional portraiture by embedding it within a functional object, disrupting traditional categories of art and craft. This paperweight prompts a reconsideration of how meaning is constructed through visual elements and material choices, inviting us to explore the interplay between form and function. Its structure destabilizes fixed meanings, encouraging ongoing interpretation.