A forgotten pearl from the industrial era, decorative paperweights are beautiful, intricate pieces of glass art much deserving of appreciation. They have sat (as they will do) under the decor radar since we closed our office windows, keeping summer winds away from flyaway documents. But in spite of our window-opening amnesia and stay-put piles of paper, paperweights have prevailed.
Individual artists and studios across the world continue to make these hand-sized gems for glass art enthusiasts and paperweight collectors across the globe.
Dr. Ed Sheldon, regional director of the Paperweight Collector's Association Inc., says collectors admire all forms of paperweights -- from rare antiques to more inexpensive productions. "Seldom used for their nominal purpose, paperweights most often find their place as eye-catching objects alone or in a group on a table or desk. The more serious collectors typically display them in illuminated cases where they are secure but can be shared and viewed easily," he says.
Types of paperweights
Paperweights are divided into categories according to means of production (although very old pieces are distinguished by age).
One of the most popular categories is the hand-creation of flowers or other intricate biological things by melting assorted small glass rods -- sometimes referred to as lamp-work.
Dr. Sheldon explains the artist manipulates the molten glass into petals or other shapes, then assembles the elements into flowers, birds, etc. in a tiny flame. "The completed artwork is then encased in hot, molten crystal and finally shaped to the desired form," he said.
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