Paperweight c. mid 19th century

This paperweight was made by Baccarat Glassworks out of glass using lampworking techniques. Consider how this small, functional object made of glass can be viewed as both a feat of technical skill and a reflection of its time. The bright red color is achieved by adding gold chloride to the molten glass mixture, and a lampworker uses a torch to melt the glass and manipulate it into the desired shape. This requires intense heat, precise timing, and skillful hand-eye coordination. The central motif shows Joan of Arc, a French heroine and Catholic saint, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves, a symbol of strength and endurance. The image is painted en grisaille. Paperweights became popular during the 19th century, coinciding with industrialization, mass production, and a growing middle class. They were marketed as luxury items and sold in department stores, connecting skilled craft traditions with commercial production. Looking at this paperweight, we can appreciate how its materials, making, and context inform our understanding, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.