Paperweights

Originally designed as practical items during the 19th century, paperweights have evolved into decorative art over time. Our vintage paperweight collection features brass, glass, and stone weights. The collection includes iconic designs such as millefiori globes, fruit designs in marble and alabaster, and objects encased in Lucite for auction.

Aside from enhancing your desk's decor, paperweights serve as convenient storage to keep your papers in place, especially if you are having difficulty securing your loose papers. Incredibly precise, paperweights are a marvel of craftsmanship. There is an undeniable magic to the sight of a magnifying glass dome of a fine paperweight in your hand, as well as the physical feel of the smoothness and weight of the object. The popularity of glass paperweights led to a range of styles, giving us a wide variety of collectible paperweights. Collectors and specialized dealers regard these styles as treasures. 

Some of the most popular paperweight styles:

• Crown - The design of these paperweights was characterized by twisted colorful ribbons and lace designs that flowed down from the top of the paperweight to the bottom.
• Bohemian - This paperweight style was fashionable during the Victorian era, often taking the form of cut ruby glass spheres.
• Lampwork - This type of paperweight has colored glass objects encased in a clear glass dome in aesthetically pleasing shapes. These paperweights have a very stylish design and are very lifelike.
• Sulfide - The dome of this paperweight displays a portrait in the form of a cameo, embedded within the glass. Ceramics are used in the creation of these pieces, allowing them to reproduce extremely fine features, and create a realistic look. Generally, they were used for honoring someone or for marking a special occasion.
• Millefiori - This type of paperweight is composed of thin rods with multicolored cross-sections and arranged in flower-like patterns.
• Victorian - Advertising or portraits were encased in these dome glass paperweights during the Victorian era. Due to their ability to reproduce photographs or advertisements onto a milky glass disk, these paperweights were used as promotional items.

• Swirl or Ribbon - These dome-shaped paperweights are decorated with opaque bands or rods that are available in three colors.

The most elegant types of paperweights are those that are crafted from glass, even though paperweights have been made in different materials over the centuries. The popularity of glass paperweights rose in the late 19th century following the display of these items in several exhibitions, including London's Great Exhibition of 1851. Here at Bidsquare, we offer a wide variety of unique paperweights for sale if you're looking for something special. Our vintage paperweight collection features brass, glass, and stone weights. The collection includes iconic designs such as millefiori globes, fruit designs in marble and alabaster, and objects encased in Lucite.

Interesting Facts about Paperweight

• Paperweights were likely to follow shortly after the Han Dynasty of China invented paper around 100 BC. 
• Scholars used paperweights made of white jade in their studios back then.