Paperweight c. late 19th century

This glass paperweight was made by the New England Glass Company sometime between 1818 and 1888. Within the clear, round glass dome, a singular pear is captured. Symbolically, the pear is laden with meanings that stretch back through the ages. In classical antiquity, it was sacred to Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love, embodying fertility and sensual allure. We find echoes of this in Renaissance paintings, where a pear often hints at hidden amorous intentions or serves as a symbol of the Virgin Mary's nurturing aspect. Yet, the pear is not merely a static emblem. Like a restless spirit, it evolves. Its luscious form invites the eye, stirring a deep, perhaps subconscious longing for the sweetness of life. Consider how this seemingly simple fruit, encased in glass, becomes a poignant meditation on desire, preservation, and the transient nature of beauty. It beckons us to reflect on the cyclical nature of symbols and the enduring power of images to evoke primal emotions.