Found on desks worldwide, crystal paperweights are a popular gift in the corporate world both for their beauty and their usefulness. Whether you place it on a stack of papers to keep them safely secured when you open the window or if it sits next to your pot of pens to brighten up your desk, paperweights are a fabulous addition to any set up. But where did corporate paperweights come from? Who were the first people to use something created specifically to hold down paper?
Who Invented Crystal Paperweights?
Interestingly, paperweights aren’t a new invention. Whilst you may think they’d have appeared as people started working in offices, glass paperweights actually date back to the time paper was first invented. Small, but heavy enough to keep paper from blowing away, paperweights are thought to have been originally made from white jade and commonly used as tools in scholars’ studios soon after the invention of paper around 100 BC during the Han Dynasty in China.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, the popularity of crystal paperweights had spread to Europe and, in 1845, Venetian glassmaker Pietro Bigaglia showcased his glass paperweights at the Vienna Industrial Exposition. Although paperweights were inexpensive to produce, they were considered a luxury item that helped decorate rooms and kept paper organised. Throughout time, many artists broke away from the traditional art of paperweights and tried new and bold techniques to create something special and unique in the form of a custom paperweight.
For example, Louis Comfort Tiffany – the American artist and designer best known for his work with stained glass – created decorative vases that were similar to the classic paperweights. Tiffany’s goal was to bring beauty to one’s environment and, at the time, he believed that decorative arts were even more important than the fine arts – as they were reaching a wider audience.
In the 19th century, crystal paperweights were being produced all over Europe from England to Venice to Bohemia and as well as across the Atlantic in the United States. France, however, was at the heart of corporate paperweight production. The most famous pieces came from Baccarat, Saint Louis, Clichy, and Pantin factories: Clichy, however, was the only house whose paperweights were displayed at the Great Exposition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Paperweights soon became the ultimate desk accessory, bringing colour and life to everyone’s home.
How Are Glass Paperweights Made?
Glass paperweights can be made in a variety of ways, and many feature some sort of detailed glass design encased in the rest of the glass paperweight. Some, such as those featured in the Neustadter collection, are created using lampwork, where the glass is melted and shaped using hand movements and instruments, and millefiori canes. This glasswork technique involves the creation of glass canes which are later heated in a furnace and pulled thin, resulting in a decorative pattern reminiscent of flowers – hence the name, as ‘fiori’ means flower in Italian. Millefiori paperweights are particularly sought-after, with the most expensive of its kind, made in the mid 19th century by the French Clichy factory, having been sold for $250,000 in 1990.
Another popular technique for the creation of glass paperweights is glassblowing. This involves gathering molten glass on a blowpipe and shaping it by blowing air into it, along with various tools and techniques for creating forms and patterns. This is a particularly traditional method for making paperweights and many other glass objects, and can be used in conjunction with other methods like lampwork.
Whilst many crystal paperweights feature a glass design suspended within the object, another popular way of adding decoration and detail to a paperweight involves the use of 3D laser engraving, which is our method of choice here at Laser Crystal. This technology allows us to engrave even the most intricate of images into the centre of the glass paperweight, from logos to illustrations.
Modern Paperweights
As companies grew during the industrial revolution, they required clerks, accountants, and managers to keep records, manage finances, and oversee operations from a centralised location. The first industries to adopt this way of working from offices included banking, insurance, and manufacturing, but the late 19th century saw this boom with large-scale corporations popping up, particularly in the US. Inventions such as typewriters, the telegraph, and fax machines continued to improve efficiency and by the 1900s, corporate offices were commonplace.
As this shift towards white-collar office work continued until the rise of the internet and turn of the millennium, employees looked for ways to personalise their workspace. The presence of personal computers – before the dawn of laptops – meant that people would have their own designated desk which they could decorate. Paperweights were one of many accessories, sitting atop the desks of millions alongside picture frames, pen pots and mousepads.
Glass paperweights have had a rich history and are still used in our daily lives. And although corporate paperweights vary in their shape, form, material, and decoration technique, they come in handy when you are looking for bespoke gifts. Many organisations, for example, use corporate paperweights as a promotional item, on which they can print or engrave their bespoke design. Whether you are using them for an event giveaway and a personalised present for your loved ones, glass paperweights are still a fantastic option.
3D Crystal Paperweights at Laser Crystal
At Laser Crystal, we create bespoke 3D crystal paperweights and gifts using state-of-the-art engraving techniques. As the UK’s leading 3D engravers, each crystal art creation is made from flawless optical quality crystal, forming gifts that you are proud to give and receive, as well as crystal awards perfect for any occasion. From employee recognition awards and long service awards to sports awards and achievement awards, every order can be fully customised to suit your needs.
Browse our full range or let us know your requirements and we can recommend a selection of shapes and designs.