Collecting Antique Glass Paperweights

Antique glass paperweights are a popular collectible that can command thousands of dollars at auction. Collectors may collect paperweights according to style, color, design, and manufacturer or just randomly choose the paperweights that they love the best.

History of Art Glass Paperweights

During the industrial revolution and the rise of the middle class more and more men became businessmen and office workers. Their desks were cluttered with stacks of papers, invoices, and timesheets that they had to keep track of.

During the hot summer months the offices became stuffy and unbearable so windows were opened wide to let in the cool breezes. Although the air flowing through the office made the area more comfortable, stray gusts of wind would send important papers flying across the room, necessitating a constant need to pick up, sort, and restack the papers. Soon these executives were placing heavy cups and other objects on the papers to keep them in place.

The growth of the middle class created more leisure time and letter writing became increasingly popular. The Victorian fondness for beautiful, decorative objects created a market for paperweights to hold letters and papers at home as well as at the office.

Although no one knows exactly when the first paperweight appeared, the first recorded appearance was at the Exhibition of Austrian Industry in Vienna in 1845. Pietro Bigaglia displayed a collection of beautifully designed glass paperweights and soon his idea was copied throughout France and Europe.

Soon these glass factories were vying with each other to create the most unique, beautiful products. Some contained millefiori, lampwork, cameo incrustation, or decorative objects enclosed in the glass spheres.

• Bohemian glass paperweights were a favorite of Victorian society. The glass was often ruby colored with designs cut into the glass.
• Crown glass had twisted, colored ribbons swirled through the glass from the top to the bottom. These were also called swirl or ribbon designs.
• Lampwork paperweights were created with shells, flowers, or other objects surrounded by a clean glass dome.
• Millefiori paperweights contained cross sections of minute multicolored rods. These resembled colorful flowers and had unique and beautiful patterns.
• Sulfide paperweights had a cameo portrait in the dome of the paperweight, usually of some important historical or mythological figure.
• California-style paperweights were made by painting the surface of the dome with molten glass.

Later in the Victorian era domed glass paperweights were made with advertising in them. Given as premiums to customers, many of these displayed the name and address of a business or the name or image of a product.

There are three separate and distinct periods of the glass paperweight; two of which contain truly antique paper weights that are over 100 years old, and the third which contains vintage paperweights.

Classic Period

The Classic Period of paperweight manufacture lasted from the 1840s to the 1880s. The most popular manufacturers during this time were:

• Baccarat
• Bacchus
• Boston & Sandwich
• Clichy
• New England Glass Co.

The paperweights from this period tend to be the most decorative.

Folk Art and Advertising Period

From 1880 through World War II glass paperweights were made by small, local artisans using folk art decorations. Advertising paperweights were also at the peak of production.It was during this era that powdered glass began to be used to create decorations in the glass.

Contemporary Period

Any weights made after World War II are considered to be contemporary. New techniques were being used to create more designs than ever and small studios made unique glass paperweights.

There are numerous ways to collect these beautiful glass paperweights.

Some collectors choose to collect a single type or theme of paperweight. Perhaps they will collect only paperweights from a certain country, manufacturer, or design.All of the paperweights they own may be Bohemian glass, millefiori or from a particular company such as Coca Cola.

Other collectors choose the most interesting paperweight they can find from each style, era, or manufacturer.

By far the most common way to collect antique and vintage paperweights is to choose the paperweights that appeal to you the most, no matter what style, color, or theme they may have.

Collecting paperweights is a unique hobby enjoyed by many people. You should learn as much as you can by visiting collectors' websites, reading reference books and joining collectors' clubs. This will ensure that you get what you pay for and enjoy your collection even more.

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