Paperweight

Since the second half of the 19th century, various trinkets placed on desks became popular both in Europe and in the world. In addition to the unique inkwells and writing utensils, some of the most popular ones were paperweights. Their history is linked to the Austrian Industry Exhibition held in Vienna in 1845, which featured – among many other things – the products of a Venetian craftsman, Pietro Bigaglia, representing Murano, which was known since the Middle Ages as the most important glass industry centre in Europe. He showcased spherical paperweights with fused pieces of coloured glass, which enthralled the visitors. Such paperweights were made as early as at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, but gained popularity only in the 19th century as a trinket. The mid-20th century has brought their resurgence. Several new types of glass paperweights appeared during this period. Some of them included the Bohemian paperweights – large, engraved, or cut-out, hollow spheres of ruby glass. Initially used to press loose sheets of paper, soon they turned into objects purchased as ornaments, and due to their often high level of workmanship, they began to arouse more and more interest among collectors.

Anna Lew-Machniak