Skip to Content

Paperweight

A work made of glass.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

Image actions

  • A work made of glass.

Date:

c. 1848/55

Artist:

Saint-Louis Glassworks (Cristalleries de Saint-Louis)
Lorraine, France, founded 1586

About this artwork

Technological improvements to optical scientific instruments in the mid-nineteenth century spurred a veritable obsession across Europe with identifying and classifying the natural world. Amateur botanists were eager to collect and preserve floral specimens, which they intently researched and catalogued. In response to this broad appeal, French glassmakers made paperweights that portrayed the very botanical subjects that were so enthusiastically sought. Many weights represented specimens with horticultural correctness, but others were entirely fanciful creations. Paperweights like this example speak to the period’s fascination with taxonomic systems.

From the late 1840s to early 1860s, French manufacturers of fine glass and crystal—such as Baccarat (Alsace), Clichy (Paris), and Saint-Louis (Lorraine)—catered to the vast public enthusiasm for beautiful yet functional desk accessories. Paperweights, which were designed to secure loose papers against drafts, were among their most popular products.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Artist

Compagnie de Saint Louis (Maker)

Title

Paperweight

Place

Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1843–1860

Medium

Glass

Dimensions

H.: 7.4 cm (2 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Arthur Rubloff

Reference Number

1988.541.580

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/159145/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share