Paperweight c. 19th century

This paperweight was manufactured by Baccarat Glass Works, and made of glass. Glass making is a labor intensive process, requiring skilled manipulation of molten material. The millefiori designs inside are made by bundling together thin glass rods, heating them until they fuse, then stretching the mass into a cane. The cane is then sliced into cross-sections, revealing the intricate floral patterns you see here. These are then arranged with white filigree rods inside a mold, before being encased in molten crystal. Paperweights were popular desk accessories in the 19th century, emblems of luxury and taste. But consider also the labor required to produce them. Each paperweight represents hours of work by skilled glassmakers, who were often employed in large factories. So, while seemingly a simple object, this paperweight embodies complex social and economic relationships between labor, industrial production, and consumer culture. Recognizing these broader contexts allows us to appreciate the full scope of the work.