WHAT ARE GLASS PAPERWEIGHTS?
Since the mid 19th century, when
glass paperweights were first made, people have been intrigued by these
fascinating crystal balls, objet’s d’art which feature an exquisite little
motif captured and enhanced by the glass that holds it prisoner.
Paperweight subjects include
flowers, buds, bouquets, butterflies, fruit, snakes, lizards, caterpillars
and the like, executed in flat or three dimensional versions. They may be
realistically depicted, but more often they were interpreted in a stylized
manner. Millefiori canes, small cross sections cut from glass rods to reveal
the inner patterns, were commonly used to create paperweight designs, either
by themselves or in conjunction with floral and other motifs. Canes can be
found set closely packed together at random or in a pattern on clear,
colored or ‘upset muslin’ backgrounds, and as flowers themselves. Other
paperweight styles, such as crowns, swirls and the rare marbrie were
part of the general production, which also included paperweights enclosing
cameos, usually of figures of some importance.
The paperweights made during the
“Classic Era” of paperweight production, a time span from about 1845 to 1870
set standards for paperweights that still exist today. Modern paperweights,
made in the 20th and 21st centuries, to be deemed fine art objects such as
those of the 19th century, must live up to the criteria established so long
ago.
WHY WERE GLASS PAPERWEIGHTS FIRST MADE
?
It is not known for certain
whether glass paperweights were first made with a useful purpose in mind, to
demonstrate the skill of the glass factories or merely as beautiful and
decorative objects. There has been speculation that they were made as
easy to carry souvenirs for a newly traveling middle class.
Another theory is that in response to a dip in the economy, paperweights
became a less expensive way for a glass factory to demonstrate the quality
of their work. There is speculation that in the 19th century
paperweights may have been made with a useful purpose in mind in response to
the beginnings of a postal service.
MODERN PAPERWEIGHTS
Paperweight production declined
from the end of the 19th century until the middle of the 20th. However, the
challenge to glassworkers remained and paperweights were still made, less
often as a part of the general production at a glass factory and more likely
as the off-hours product of a gaffer testing his skills. It was during the
early part of the 20th century that several glassworkers in the Millville,
New Jersey area, working independently, perfected the method to make a
three-dimensional, upright multipetal flower paperweight, usually set on its
own attached pedestal, now commonly known as the Millville rose.
Post World War II saw a
reawakening of interest in paperweights. Much credit for the “Paperweight
Renaissance” of the 20th century must be given to the late Mr. Paul Jokelson.
At his urging, the factories at Baccarat and St. Louis started experimenting
with paperweight techniques in the 1950s and eventually went back into
production. Paul Ysart had been making paperweights in Scotland at various
glass factories and Perthshire Paperweights, also in Scotland, began
production in 1968.
The United States has spawned
many independent paperweight artists. Among the earliest, best known were
Charles Kaziun, and Francis Whittemore. There were others such as Paul
Stankard, Harold Hacker, Robert Hansen, Carolyn and Hugh Smith, soon to be
joined by paperweight artists such as Ray Banford, his son Bob, father and
daughter Delmo and Debbie Tarsitano, Rick Ayotte, Victor Trabucco, Ken
Rosenfeld, the brothers James and Nontas Kontes, to name a few. Paperweights
were now being made by glass artists working in their own studios, many on
their own, using new methods which did not require the use of a pot of hot
glass. Their emphasis was on lampwork paperweights. The glass factory with
its pot of molten glass had not disappeared but the new lampworkers had added
another and important dimension to glass paperweights.
New factories and paperweight
artists appear on the scene from time to time. Those that produce great works
will be here to stay; the others will just fade away. Time will be the final
test as to whether their works are great or merely good. Ultimately it will
be up to those who appreciate the best to collect the paperweights. In that
way, they will be the judges.
Modern techniques have resulted
in the elimination of many flaws that may be found in the paperweights made
in the 19th century. There are no interior flaws and the condition of the
weight may be assumed to be almost perfect unless otherwise noted. It should
also be remembered that anything that is made by the human hand will be
‘almost perfect’ at best.
Why Do People Collect Glass
Paperweights
Large and important paperweight
collections have been amassed, sometimes sold, sometimes given to Museums
where they are on display for the public to view. But for most paperweight
devotees, the enjoyment comes from seeing them as a part of a their own
collection and enjoying the beauty that paperweights, like any fine art
object, bring into one’s life. Ask any collector who has managed to acquire
a sought after paperweight to add to their collection about the thrill of
finding that special paperweight!
The decorative value of
paperweights today should not be overlooked - that may have been the sole
reason for their being in the 19th century. In today’s world, a group of
paperweights may be the perfect complement to the décor in a particular
room.
Whatever the reason,
paperweights have become a recognized art form and an important collectible.
They come in a variety of styles, many price ranges, require little care and
take up a small space - unless you get bitten by the collecting bug!
There are many paperweight
organizations throughout the world where paperweight collectors meet and
enjoy talking about their recent acquisitions or weights they are looking
for. Opportunities to see, learn about and buy paperweights are
readily available at many paperweights association meetings, at some shops
and at local paperweight dealers.
Paperweight collectors find they
are enriched not only by the paperweights they collect but also by the
people they meet and the experiences they have. If you ask, most
paperweights collectors will tell you how their 'hobby' has enriched their
lives in ways that they could never have imagined.
Can We Help You with Your
Collection?
Please feel free to consult with
us on any aspect of paperweight collecting whether you are a prospecive
collector or already have a large collection. We are an email or a
phone call away.
