Topic: Info on paperweights written 1873-1877 ( I think??)

[flying free]

Les Merveilles de l'Exposition universelle de 1867
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k246705/f8.image.r=Cristal%20clichy.langEN
page 129
Louis Figuier

My French is awful, so I'm not entirely sure what or how much information pages 129 -130 give but there appears to be some description.  Suspect it will have been repeated elsewhere in more recent information but just in case not..
Hope it's helpful 
m

[KevinH]

Thanks m.

I think I will wait for those among us who speak French.

[flying free]

but Kev... I've learnt such a lot searching in other languages 
It takes ages to type it out and google translate it (and apply the correct meaning when google uses strange/literal translations), but I rarely forget the information once I've gone through all that.

It talks about flowers and ribbons and how they make the paperweight the correct hemispherical shape by re heating it at the furnace etc.  I'm not sure there is any information in there that isn't already in the open marketplace, but who knows, there might be an interesting fact or two once someone with great French can help us 
m

[KevinH]

Yes, but ...

I was confused by the use of "serre-papiers" which google translate tells me are "Greenhouse papers"!!

[flying free]

oh yes ... me too
I've spent ages looking up Greenhouse paperweights - no really, I have.
I've now decided that it might mean 'encased in glass' or something.  Not sure, but hoping some nice person will happen along and be able to say what it meant.  Is it an 'old fashioned' or 'original' term for something?
It does mentions flowers so perhaps paperweights with flowers in were called greenhouses?
Let's see if we can get some clarity.
m

[tropdevin]

**

My modest French suggests to me that these pages are not telling us anything that we do not already know...they decribe the basic techinques for making lampwork or millefiori paperweights.  I think that the French 'serre' is referring to tight packing together of component parts.

Alan

[Millefiori]

I agree with Alan. My french is pretty good but you still have to know the terminology used in paperweight making.
Just an article to explain how millefiori canes are made and how they are put together. (just a thought: Serre-papier perhaps means the pattern plates)
Gulsari

[flying free]

thank you both
ah well, it's still nice to read something written at a contemporary period to when they were being made I guess.
I'm interested now to know what 'pattern plates' are please?
Thanks
m

[Millefiori]

I think they are the cast iron plates where they put millefiori canes in patterns and pour the glass on top.. Again I don't know all the techniques, I am just a collector 😀😀😀😀

[Sach]

thank you both
ah well, it's still nice to read something written at a contemporary period to when they were being made I guess.
I'm interested now to know what 'pattern plates' are please?
Thanks
m

There is a nice image of one here: http://www.theglassgallery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/The-Art-of-the-Paperweight-Lawrence-H.-Selman-Molten-glass-on-pontil-rod.jpg