Paperweights, used to hold down papers, and most commonly made in glass, evolved in Venice in the early nineteenth century, and spread to France via Bohemia about 1845, where the finest examples were produced by three factories: Baccarat, Clichy and St Louis. Examples from these manufacturers are mostly unmarked and widely faked and imitated and thus a minefield for the uninitiated. The most popular motif is millefiori ('thousand flowers'), though fruit, single flowers, insects, and other small objects are often used as well as portraits and view. The cheaper paperweights use air bubbles as decoration. The classic paperweights are round and domed, but lesser weights were also made in the form of pyramids and rectangles. The early period of paperweights is reckoned to have ended in 1870 but some 20th century manufacturers such as Lalique, Kosta Boda, Whitefriars and Caithness Glass have produced some fine examples. The great majority of more...

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A white jade carved paperweight of two phoenix, Qing Dynasty,…

White Jade Phoenix Paperweight

A white jade carved paperweight of two phoenix, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th century the well polished jade is finely carved with a pair of phoenix side by side, with the male bird turning the head to the female, and tails joining together, each is holding a…

A white Chinese jade phoenix paperweight, Qing Dynasty, 18th…

White Jade Phoenix Paperweight, Qing Dynasty

A white Chinese jade phoenix paperweight, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, 8.5 x 7 cm. Provenance: A private collection NSW and USA.

An Italian micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome,…

Italian Micromosaic Paperweight of Pantheon, Rome

An Italian micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome, mid 19th century, the oval mosaic set within a malachite border in a shaped black marble plaque with fluted sides, 2 cm high, 17 cm wide, 12.5 cm deep

A hardstone paperweight attributed to Faberge. Rectangular…

Faberge Hardstone Fruit Paperweight

A hardstone paperweight attributed to Faberge. Rectangular Kalgan jasper base, surmounted with raspberries, cherries, grapes, red, black and white currants and leaves, all carved in various colour hardstones. Stamped Faberge, Moscow, 1908-1926. Length 16…

A celadon jade 'Willow landscape' paperweight, Jiajing to Wanli…

A celadon jade 'Willow landscape' paperweight, Jiajing to Wanli period, 4.1 cm wide, 0.8 cm thick, 35g

'Enterprise' paperweight with remains of attached note 'African…

Enterprise Shipwreck Paperweight with Historic Note Remains

'Enterprise' paperweight with remains of attached note 'African Oak, (Piec)e of (the) stern Post, (shi)p 'Enterprise' First (shi)p up River Yarra, 183(5), (seven)ty years under water (Lady) Bay, Warrnambool'. Built in Tasmania c1829 the ship was owned by…

Henri Berge 1870-1937 for Almeric Walter 1870-1959 A French…

Pate-de-verre Scarab Beetle Vide-Poche and Paperweight

Henri Berge 1870-1937 for Almeric Walter 1870-1959 A French pate-de-verre vide-poche molded with scarab beetle circa 1925, cameo glass in tones of deep blue and green signed 'H Berge / sc' to left of base; signed 'A Walter / Nancy' to right of base,…

An early 16th/17th century period oak carved boss or post…

Oak Carved Post Capital with Snake and Griffin Motif

An early 16th/17th century period oak carved boss or post capital, compact squat circular shape carved with a snake biting the wing of a griffin that is devouring an eagle. Diameter 12 cm, height 5.5 cm. Scratch inscribed underneath Haughtan (tower?) 1781…

A finely painted Berlin porcelain ormolu framed paperweight,…

Berlin Porcelain Paperweight with Ormolu Frame and Interior Scene

A finely painted Berlin porcelain ormolu framed paperweight, the rectangular porcelain panel hand painted with an interior scene of an artist's studio, set as a tray into an ormolu frame etched and cast with classical border designs. Velvet mounted base…

Lysaght's Galvanized Iron 'Orb' brand paperweight, superb.…

Lysaght's Galvanized Iron Orb Paperweight

Lysaght's Galvanized Iron 'Orb' brand paperweight, superb. circa 1920s., 11 x 6 cm

A rare antique Saint Louis paperweight, with a formal…

Root Vegetable Paperweight by Saint Louis

A rare antique Saint Louis paperweight, with a formal arrangement of root vegetables of turnips and radishes with leafy green tops on a white latticinio basket. Other Notes: Saint Louis was the only 19th century French factory to make vegetables the…

'Abigail new Bedford' desk ornament paperweight in the form of…

'Abigail new Bedford' desk ornament paperweight in the form of a whaler's harpoon, mounted on whale's tooth, 10 cm high, 15 cm wide

Coloured glassware, 19th/20th century, comprising an amber…

Colorful Glassware Collection from the Webb Estate

Coloured glassware, 19th/20th century, comprising an amber flask, green jug and vase and wine glasses and blue bottle vase, paperweight, vesta vases, stands and inkwell (quantity), height 18 cm (flask). Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb,…

Two Chinese jade pieces a miniature jade dish with three dog…

Chinese Jade Dish and Dragon Paperweight

Two Chinese jade pieces a miniature jade dish with three dog form handles, together with a carved dragon paperweight (2).

Ivory paperweight,

Ivory Weight

Ivory paperweight,

Chinese porcelain book shaped blue and white paperweight

Bookweight: Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Paperweight

Chinese porcelain book shaped blue and white paperweight

A paperweight by Louis Vuitton, styled in stainless steel, 11.5…

Louis Vuitton Stainless Steel Paperweight

A paperweight by Louis Vuitton, styled in stainless steel, 11.5 x 6.5 cm.

An Italian Micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome,…

19th Century Italian Micromosaic Pantheon Paperweight

An Italian Micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome, mid 19th century, the oval mosaic set within a border of red and blue stones in a rectangular black marble plaque with bevelled and fluted sides, 0.9 cm high, 15.5 cm wide, 10.5 cm deep,

Watson & Co. Whisky decanter and paperweight, blue and white…

Pittsburgh Souvenir Decanter and Paperweight

Watson & Co. Whisky decanter and paperweight, blue and white centenary souvenir and Pittsburgh calendar paperweight

A pate-de-verre mouse paperweight by Daum Nancy, early 20th…

Daum Nancy Mouse Paperweight

A pate-de-verre mouse paperweight by Daum Nancy, early 20th century, realistically modelled in deep blue and green colours, signed to base, 'Daum Nancy' with cross of Lorraine, 6 cm high, 7.5 cm wide, 9 cm deep

A collection of obelisk paperweights, 19th century, including…

19th Century Obelisk Paperweight Collection

A collection of obelisk paperweights, 19th century, including three stone inlaid and painted alabaster, and a French Neo-Classical bronzed obelisk set with a mercury barometer, tallest 25 cm high

St. Louis 'Nose Gay' antique French glass paperweight, 19th…

19th Century French Glass Paperweight from St. Louis, 4x5.5cm

St. Louis 'Nose Gay' antique French glass paperweight, 19th century, 4 cm high, 5.5 cm wide

A good Chinese carved bamboo paperweight. Length 22.5 cm

Chinese Carved Bamboo Paperweight (22.5cm)

A good Chinese carved bamboo paperweight. Length 22.5 cm

Two millefiore glass faceted paperweights, French, circa 1920.…

French Millefiore Glass Faceted Paperweights, Circa 1920

Two millefiore glass faceted paperweights, French, circa 1920. 10 cm high

Carved boulder opal paperweight. Solid piece of boulder opal…

Boulder Opal Carved Paperweight with Eagle, Snake, and Marsupial

Carved boulder opal paperweight. Solid piece of boulder opal carved within matrix an eagle, snake and marsupial, good play of colour, blues and green, red and yellow, possibly Lightning Ridge origin. Height 6 cm.

Glass eagle paperweight signed 'Pioolleau', height 8 cm.…

Signed Glass Eagle Paperweight from Orlando Brown Collection

Glass eagle paperweight signed 'Pioolleau', height 8 cm. Provenance: Orlando Brown Collection, Mosman

Melbourne International Exhibition 1880 glass paper weight, 13…

Melbourne 1880 Exhibition Glass Paperweight

Melbourne International Exhibition 1880 glass paper weight, 13 cm across

19th century St Louis short vase. with a crown weight base.…

St. Louis Crown Weight Vase

19th century St Louis short vase. with a crown weight base. Diameter at the top 8.5 cm & of the paperweight 6.5m. Collection Dr John Raven, Perth.

Archimede Seguso (Italian, 1909-1999), paperweight, c.1993,…

Archimede Seguso Limited Edition Glass Paperweight

Archimede Seguso (Italian, 1909-1999), paperweight, c.1993, clear and coloured glass, with control air bubble, limited edition 35/100, signed and dated to base, height 12 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Antique painted metal hound form paper weight running black and…

Black and White Hound Paperweight on Wood Base

Antique painted metal hound form paper weight running black and white painted hound figure, on wood base, length 25 cm, hound.

A cast metal novelty paperweight in the form of a sawn log,…

Log Paperweight with Axe and Saw

A cast metal novelty paperweight in the form of a sawn log, naturalistically cast with embedded axe and removable crosscut saw, length 10.5 cm

Lustre glass paperweight signed to base '97' Pantano of ovoid…

Hand-Coloured Lustre Glass Paperweight by Pantano

Lustre glass paperweight signed to base '97' Pantano of ovoid form and centralised hole hand coloured in a variety of earthy blues, greens and others, height 7 cm

A scrimshaw whalebone paperweight with tallship titled 'Tea…

19th Century Whalebone Tea Clipper Paperweight

A scrimshaw whalebone paperweight with tallship titled 'Tea Clipper', 19th century, 13.5 cm across

A Chinese hongmu paper weight, early 20th century carved with…

Chinese Hongmu Paperweight with Carved Bamboo and Inscription, Signed

A Chinese hongmu paper weight, early 20th century carved with bamboo, and inscribed and signed, and one carved seal of Zheng Bian, 56 cm long

A Cartier crystal apple paperweight, height 9 cm

Cartier Crystal Apple Paperweight: Elegant 9cm Height

A Cartier crystal apple paperweight, height 9 cm

A pair of Val Saint Lambert paperweights for Asprey, of plain…

Val Saint Lambert Asprey Paperweights, Pierre Hotel Fairfax Penthouse

A pair of Val Saint Lambert paperweights for Asprey, of plain cube form, signed, once in the master bedroom of the Pierre Hotel Fairfax penthouse, New York 7 cm square

art glass paperweight, high quality artistic floral internal…

Perthshire Art Glass Paperweight with Floral Decoration

art glass paperweight, high quality artistic floral internal decoration, attributed to Perth shire, signature mark to base '198875'

Australian prime minister cast iron paper weight Sir George…

Australian prime minister cast iron paper weight Sir George Houston Reid 1845-1918 Premier, Prime Minister and High Commissioner, height 12.5 cm

Peter Raos, Monet Springtime paperweight, etched signature &…

Monet Springtime Paperweight by Peter Raos

Peter Raos, Monet Springtime paperweight, etched signature & dated 1993 to base, 8.5 cm height

George III fruitwood desk paperweight carved with crowned naval…

Royal Naval Coat of Arms Paperweight

George III fruitwood desk paperweight carved with crowned naval coat of arms 10 cm length

Peter Raos art glass Pacific domed paperweight, etched…

Pacific Dome Paperweight by Peter Raos

Peter Raos art glass Pacific domed paperweight, etched signature & dated 1997, 7 cm dia.

An Art Deco style, frosted glass 'Tete de Cheval' paperweight…

Art Deco Horse Paperweight from Vannes, France

An Art Deco style, frosted glass 'Tete de Cheval' paperweight acid etched mark 'Art - Vannes - France' under the base, height 13 cm

A Venetian candy scramble paperweight & one other, 19th century…

Venetian Candy Paperweight with Inclusions

A Venetian candy scramble paperweight & one other, 19th century both with inclusions of coloured fragments. Tallest 8.5 cm high

Chris Pantano glass paperweight 'Fire Opal', signed, numbered &…

Glass Paperweights by Pantano and Santos

Chris Pantano glass paperweight 'Fire Opal', signed, numbered & dated 1992, 10 cm diameter approx., together with a J Santos glass paperweight signed & fated 1986

A Swedish Maleras paperweight designed by Mats Jonasson, with a…

Mats Jonasson Maleras Reverse Flower Paperweight

A Swedish Maleras paperweight designed by Mats Jonasson, with a reverse flower image, height 18 cm, width 8 cm, depth 6 cm

A superb Peter Raos Pohutakawa paperweight, inscribed…

Project Crimson Pohutakawa Paperweight

A superb Peter Raos Pohutakawa paperweight, inscribed 'Celebrating New Zealand's Christmas Tree Through Project Crimson Carter Holt Harvey December 2001' to bottom, height 8.5 cm, diameter 7 cm

A Chinese vase together with two porcelain boats including a…

Chinese Porcelain Collection

A Chinese vase together with two porcelain boats including a blue and white watering vessel and an architectural paperweight.

Six various decorative glass paperweights including Scottish,…

Assorted Glass Paperweights: Scottish, Irish, Italian, and More

Six various decorative glass paperweights including Scottish, Irish and Italian origins, diameter 6 cm, average each; and 3 various other small glass paperweights.

Doulton Lambeth paperweight Carrera. Stoneware in the form of a…

Doulton Lambeth Carrera Mythical Beast Paperweight

Doulton Lambeth paperweight Carrera. Stoneware in the form of a mythical beast. Molded body with cream ware glaze. Designed by mark V Marshall (1879 - 1912). Impressed mark to base Doulton Lambeth, Carrara - England C870. Doulton Carrara. Molded front &…

Peter Raos, spherical paperweight, calla lily pattern encased…

Calla Lily Glass Paperweight by Peter Raos (1991)

Peter Raos, spherical paperweight, calla lily pattern encased in clear glass, etched signature& dated 1991, 9 cm high

Peter Raos, conical form paperweight, calla lily pattern…

Calla Lily Conical Glass Paperweight by Peter Raos (2000)

Peter Raos, conical form paperweight, calla lily pattern encased in clear glass, etched signature & dated 2000, 10 cm high

Paperweight, St Louis Lilly of the Valley

St. Louis Lily Paperweight

Paperweight, St Louis Lilly of the Valley

An Australian silverplate kangaroo paperweight, the well cast…

Australian Silverplate Kangaroo Paperweight

An Australian silverplate kangaroo paperweight, the well cast and chased macropod standing on an oval plinth engraved with grasses and foliage, marked to underside 'Made in Australia for Potter & Co. Newcastle E.P.N.S', early 20th century, height 15 cm,…

Chris Pantano 'Dreamtime' art glass paperweight of tapered form.…

Chris Pantano Art Glass Paperweight - Dreamtime

Chris Pantano 'Dreamtime' art glass paperweight of tapered form. Condition good, minor wear to the base. Dimensions 15 x 8 cm

A collection of glass obelisk paperweights, 19th century, some…

19th Century Glass Obelisk Paperweights Collection

A collection of glass obelisk paperweights, 19th century, some shaped and painted, one inscribed 'Dorothy E. Ellen', tallest 17 cm

Whitefriars concentric millifiori faceted paperweight, dated…

1975 Whitefriars Faceted Millifiori Paperweight

Whitefriars concentric millifiori faceted paperweight, dated 1975

Gilded California bear paperweight souvenir of the California…

Midwinter 1894 Gilded California Bear Paperweight Souvenir

Gilded California bear paperweight souvenir of the California Midwinter 1894. Marked 'Warranted Quadruple plate 126', length 10 cm

An amber depression glass paperweight, in the form of the…

Amber Phar Lap Head Paperweight

An amber depression glass paperweight, in the form of the mounted head of Phar Lap. 12 cm x 13.5 cm

Peter Raos, Pacific paperweight, etched signature & dated 1997…

Etched Pacific Paperweight by Peter Raos (1997)

Peter Raos, Pacific paperweight, etched signature & dated 1997 to base, 6.5 cm dia.

Chris Pantano 'Uluru' art glass paperweight with a flat base.…

Uluru Art Glass Paperweight by Chris Pantano

Chris Pantano 'Uluru' art glass paperweight with a flat base. Condition good, minor wear to the base. Dimensions 9 x 9 cm

Large green glass paperweight, of rounded form decorated with…

Green Glass Flower Paperweight

Large green glass paperweight, of rounded form decorated with flowers, height 13.5 cm

Collection of five glass paperweights, (5). Provenance: The…

Webb Collection: Glass Paperweights

Collection of five glass paperweights, (5). Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb, Wollogorang, NSW

An Italian Grand Tour hardstone shaped paperweight, 19th…

19th Century Italian Hardstone Paperweight

An Italian Grand Tour hardstone shaped paperweight, 19th century, 6 cm high, 8 cm wide

Australian Chris Pantano art glass paperweight decorated with…

Aventurine Bubble Paperweight by Chris Pantano

Australian Chris Pantano art glass paperweight decorated with aventurine and bubbles,etched signature and dated to base, height 8.5 cm

A Cathy Richardson paperweight, decorated with an undersea…

Undersea garden paperweight by Cathy Richardson

A Cathy Richardson paperweight, decorated with an undersea garden, signed and dated 2007 to base, height 14 cm.

Peter Raos, floral paperweight, signed & dated 2001, 8.5 cm…

Signed Floral Paperweight by Peter Raos (2001)

Peter Raos, floral paperweight, signed & dated 2001, 8.5 cm diameter

A Japanese carved ivory paperweight, as a half-length of bamboo,…

Japanese Ivory Bamboo Paperweight with Animals

A Japanese carved ivory paperweight, as a half-length of bamboo, carved in relief with branch, frog, fly, spiders and mouse. Signed, length 12 cm.

Two Rochere cameo glass paperweights, of egg form, one…

Rochere Glass Egg Paperweights with Dragonflies and Landscape Scene

Two Rochere cameo glass paperweights, of egg form, one decorated with dragon flies, the other decorated with landscape scene, signed, height 8 cm (2)

Pair of rare Victorian 'Lion after Landseer' moulded glass…

Victorian Lion Glass Paperweights by John Derbyshire

Pair of rare Victorian 'Lion after Landseer' moulded glass large paperweights manufactured by John Derbyshire of Manchester, circa 1874

Paperweight, large art glass millifiori paperweight with 1853…

1853 Millifiori Art Glass Paperweight

Paperweight, large art glass millifiori paperweight with 1853 date

A collection of Australian themed memorabilia, comprising: a…

Australian Memorabilia Collection

A collection of Australian themed memorabilia, comprising: a 1962 commemorative paperweight, the One Millionth Holden; a Hawker Demon plaque; a Royal Australian Airforce commemorative medallion; a Royal Australian Airforce diamond jubilee plate, and a…

An opalescent glass paperweight in the form of a fish by Sabino,…

Sabino Opalescent Glass Fish Paperweight with Stand

An opalescent glass paperweight in the form of a fish by Sabino, engraved mark, with wood stand. 12 cm high

Four Colin Heaney iridescent art glass items, 1989, 1992…

Colin Heaney Iridescent Art Glass Collection

Four Colin Heaney iridescent art glass items, 1989, 1992 (three), all in vibrant iridescent peacock blue, green and purple colours, comprising a rectangular vase with a pulled and speckled decor, a softly fluted dish on a clear ringed base, scallop shell…

A whale harpoon desk ornament paperweight, cast metal and green…

A whale harpoon desk ornament paperweight, cast metal and green marble, 9 cm high

Peter Raos,

"Monet Spring" Glass Paperweight by Peter Raos (1983)

Peter Raos, "Monet Spring" glass paperweight, signed Raos New Zealand, 1983

Carved marine ivory fish decorated paperweight length 8 cm .

Marine Ivory Fish Paperweight

Carved marine ivory fish decorated paperweight length 8 cm .

Peter Raos paperweight, abstract pattern, etched signature, 19…

Etched Signature Abstract Paperweight by Peter Raos

Peter Raos paperweight, abstract pattern, etched signature, 19 cm height

Lynden Over (Lava Glass Studio) art glass 'Trees' paperweight,…

Lava Glass Studio Tree Paperweight

Lynden Over (Lava Glass Studio) art glass 'Trees' paperweight, signed and dated 2014. Height 13 cm

A large Mats Jonasson lead crystal paperweight decorated with…

Mats Jonasson Crystal Seal Paperweight in Iceberg

A large Mats Jonasson lead crystal paperweight decorated with seals in an Iceberg, length 20 cm, height 13 cm

Chris Pantano 'Rainforest' art glass paperweight with a flat…

"Rainforest" Art Glass Paperweight with Flat Base

Chris Pantano 'Rainforest' art glass paperweight with a flat base. Condition good, minor wear to the base. Dimensions 10 x 8 cm

A pair of ivory style paperweights, height 29.5 cm

Ivory-style Paperweights: Elegant Desk Accessories

A pair of ivory style paperweights, height 29.5 cm

Peter Raos, Star of the Sea' art glass paperweight, the red…

"Star of the Sea" Paperweight

Peter Raos, Star of the Sea' art glass paperweight, the red starfish upon anemones and multi-coloured ocean floor, signed and dated 2000, diameter 9.5 cm

A smaller Stourbridge green glass paperweight to above. Height…

Miniature Stourbridge Green Glass Paperweight

A smaller Stourbridge green glass paperweight to above. Height 8.3 cm

Peter Viesnik, glass paperweight, coloured orchids in frosted…

Signed Glass Paperweight with Coloured Orchids

Peter Viesnik, glass paperweight, coloured orchids in frosted ovoid weight, signed, height 12.5 cm

Australian studio glass paperweight, by Chris Pantano,…

Chris Pantano Glass Paperweight with White Lilliums

Australian studio glass paperweight, by Chris Pantano, decorated with White Lilliums, signed base, 12 cm high approx.

Two tortoiseshell and ivory paperweights

Tortoiseshell and Ivory Paperweights Duo

Two tortoiseshell and ivory paperweights

An Italian multi coloured and clear glass paperweight, Gino…

Italian Glass Paperweight by Gino Cendese

An Italian multi coloured and clear glass paperweight, Gino Cendese scripted signature to base. 7 cm high.

A glass paperweight and model Bentley Continental Gtc Speed,…

Floral Paperweight and Bentley Model with Case

A glass paperweight and model Bentley Continental Gtc Speed, paperweight with floral motif, height 3.5 cm, depth 6.5 cm. The car with original case and box, height 3 cm

A glass paperweight on stand, incorporating a crucifix, 19th…

Crucifix Glass Paperweight on Stand

A glass paperweight on stand, incorporating a crucifix, 19th century, possibly Venetian, hand blown, the top spherical, an image of the crucified Christ within, raised on a stand, 18 cm high

Peter Viesnik, glass paperweight, arum lilies, height 8.5 cm

Arum Lilies Glass Paperweight by Peter Viesnik

Peter Viesnik, glass paperweight, arum lilies, height 8.5 cm

Peter Raos Garden Series art glass paperweight, domed form,…

Raos Garden Paperweight

Peter Raos Garden Series art glass paperweight, domed form, dominant colours of white, blue and green, engraved signature and date 1992. Height 8.4 cm

A carved granite lidded paperweight with ormolu mount, height…

Granite Paperweight with Ormolu Mount

A carved granite lidded paperweight with ormolu mount, height 16 cm

19th century ivory paperweight, with spherical handle, above a…

Ivory Paperweight with Spherical Handle and Rectangular Base

19th century ivory paperweight, with spherical handle, above a rectangular base, 8 cm x 5.5 cm

Peter Raos, millefiore paperweight

Millefiore Paperweight by Peter Raos

Peter Raos, millefiore paperweight

A 19th century sulphide paperweight depicting a Roman emperor 6.…

Roman Emperor Sulphide Paperweight

A 19th century sulphide paperweight depicting a Roman emperor 6.5 cm diameter

Marc Kalifa Australian art glass paperweight with landscape…

Australian Landscape Glass Paperweight by Marc Kalifa

Marc Kalifa Australian art glass paperweight with landscape scene signed 'Kalifa, 5.5/87' 9 cm high