Topic: Nosegay Paperweight ID

[SimonD]

I would appreciate help identifying this nosegay paperweight. It's quite large - 2.66 inches diameter - and has several distinct flowers/canes. The simple cog cane set in a white blob with red, green and blue stripes must be recognised by someone! An unusual feature about this weight is that the leaves are translucent green (not opaque), and the stem is opaque orange. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the maker? It looks mid 19th century French to me, but it could be USA or anything else for that matter.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Simon

[donaldf]

The setup ( ignoring the leaves) has a St Mande look about it, but I leave it up to the experts to identify it properly. I have responded just to say that I think it is a smashing paperweight and thanks for showing it to us, Don

[tropdevin]

***

Hi All.

Interesting piece...I do not disagree with Don, but several of the canes remind me of Saint-Louis.

I think 19th century French is becoming the favoured option!

Alan

[SimonD]

Thanks for your thoughts. Saint Louis hadn't really occurred to me as a possibility. I spent some time yesterday going through some old catalogues. The stem/stalk is very reminiscent of those in a lot of Saint Louis fruit weights. Plus, I didn't see any examples of this in non-St Louis weights.

Also the lobed six pointed star that is the central element of the central white cane is like that in the Kulles' book "Identifying Antique Paperweights - Millefiori" which is described as "The Saint Louis star has curved petal-like arms which end in points". Similarly the pink  cane matches "The large Saint Louis cross cane also has a diamond shape at its center. Each surrounding layer of glass softens the sharp points of the central diamond. The outer layer is shaped so that each point terminates in a broad rounded foot, giving the cane the appearance of a Jerusalem cross."

Simon