Judith Miller on glass paperweights

ABOVE: 1 A Baccarat red rose, c1850, £2,500-£3,000; 2 A radial star formation in the style of Paul Ysart for Monart, 1930s.

Judith Miller looks at the delicate beauty and colourful appeal found in glass paperweights.

Glass paperweights make a lovely collection because they’re small, attractive and can serve a purpose too; and because of their function, they have a satisfying solidity. There is also an appealingly extensive variety available, at prices to suit every pocket.

While the Victorian period saw paperweights boom in popularity, the earliest mention of this pretty desk accessory can be traced back to 15th-century Italy. Long known for its quality glass production, the near-spherical or domed objects made by Murano were highly thought of by Venetian historian Sabellico. ‘But consider to whom did it first occur,’ he wrote, ‘to include in a little ball all the sorts of flowers which clothe the meadow in the spring.’

ABOVE: 3 St Louis purple dahlia, c1850, £1,300-£1,600; 4 Clichy swirl with a light blue and white pattern, c1850, £1,300-£1,600.

The flowers that he’s referring to are those created in the ancient technique of millefiori (a thousand flowers) where glass canes are produced and cut into slivers – imagine a stick of seaside rock that reveals its pattern when sliced.

These pieces are then arranged to create that blossoming decoration (sometimes alongside other designs, such as fruit, insects, larger flowers or swirls), which is then encased in a clear dome.

ABOVE: 5 Clichy concentric millefiori, c1850, £1,000-£1,500; 6 A Baccarat butterfly, c1850, £1,300-£1,600.

Although paperweights were made elsewhere, it was the French who mastered the technique and artistry during the mid-late 19th century. Peaking during the ‘classic period’ of the mid 19th century, French pieces from studios such as St Louis, Clichy and Baccarat are highly prized and can fetch thousands of pounds. In recent decades, paperweights have been further revived thanks to innovative art glassmakers of the 20th century. Spanish born and Scottish trained Paul Ysart, who started making paperweights during the 1930s, inspired future generations and has taken this medium to new heights.

ABOVE: 7 Clichy ‘barber pole’, c1850, £2,000-£3,000; 8 Pantin with grapes, c1878, £4,000-£5,000.

Tips for collectors

• The more complex the paperweight, and the larger the size, the more it is likely to be worth.
• Look out for desirable ‘silhouette’ canes of animals and people that are typical of Baccarat.
• Don’t ignore 20th-century paperweights, as these are highly collectable. Scottish makers such as Paul Ysart, William Manson, Peter Holmes, Caithness Glass and Selkirk Glass are among the most collected.
• ‘Scramble’ designs created from many different types and colours of millefiori and canes arranged randomly are not as complex to set up so will be less expensive.
• Look out for air bubbles and other imperfections, such as grit, within the glass as these will reduce value.
• For a high end piece, contact your local antiques dealer, or if you’re prepared to put in some leg work, visit car boot sales and second hand shops.

FEATURE JUDITH MILLER PHOTOGRAPHS THE DUNLOP COLLECTION, GRAHAM COOLEY COLLECTION
Featured in the May 2011 issue of Period Living

Buy Judith Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2012-2013