Topic: Can you give any help in ID'ing this large paperweight? Thanks!

[miragenet]

I have no experience with paperweights, for all I know this could be useless junk - but it feels nice to me.  It's large, standing 5.5" tall and about 3" across the base.  No signature, just an old paper label that's impossible to read.  Any help greatly appreciated!

[Leni]

IMHO, something which someone thinks "feels nice" cannot, by definition, be "useless junk" 

I'm sorry I don't know about the maker of this weight, but I think it could be modern Chinese.  Or should I say Taiwanese.  But whatever, I don't reckon it's 'junk'.  It's a pleasant and attractive design       

[miragenet]

Thanks, Leni!

Are there certain things to look for to determine whether these are new or old, good or average, etc.?  I seem to be running into a lot of paperweights lately and of course I have no clue! 

[KevinH]

I tned to agree with Leni's thoughts about this being a modern Chinese or Taiwanese item.

As for things to look for to sort out the old from new etc., the truth is that for Chinese products they are so varied and so many, that none of us in here have yet found any simple rule that would help.

Try a Search of the board for "Chinese paperweight" - this will bring up four pages of results, with messages covering all sorts of angles on this subject.

[Frank]

Are there certain things to look for to determine whether these are new or old, good or average, etc.?  I seem to be running into a lot of paperweights lately and of course I have no clue! 

Go with what you like, if they are Chinese hang on to them.

[karelm]

Hi,
I fully agree with Frank on this, if you like it and can afford it get it!
BUT and this is a big BUT, if you are thinking of buying to sell on you need to be very carefull as chinese weights (and I use this as a generic term for mass produced weights that are bought by the crate load) tend not to resell well or make a big profit in the second hand market.
If you want to collect and maybe sell the odd weight then get what you like!
Kind regards,
KarelM