Topic: ID help needed - is this antique, vintage or modern?

[EmJ]

Hi, does any one have any ideas about the origin and age of this paperweight please? It's large - 8.5cm diameter and weighs about 640g. It has got a very rough pontil scar with metal deposits still on it, reasonably evenly spaced bubbles and bits of aventurine in. Obviously I'm hoping it's an antique but I really don't know! Any thoughts would be welcome, thanks...

[rocco]

I have a paperweight with similar colours (also aventurine bits mixed in), and a white spatter layer below. The layout is a little different, though.
It was bought at a Paris fleamarket, and there were lots of similar weights offered.

So my assumption is French, and not antique, rather "post-classical" 1920-50.

Michael

[EmJ]

Hi Michael, thanks for your response.

I had wondered whether it might be French, so it is great to hear you have a similar one bought in France. Also good to get an idea of the possible age, thank you very much!

Emily

[bat20]

The other possibility is Belgian , but really I’m no expert I’m afraid .

[EmJ]

Thanks bat20, neither am I sadly, but any suggestions are food for thought and very welcome, so thank you.

Emily

[rocco]

Neither am I unfortunately

But I have a few books about paperweights, just checked the Brackelt book about post-classical weights -- there are a few pictured similar to ours, which are attributed to "Northern France, Sars Poteries, c. 1880-1930".
Belgian might still be another possibility.

Michael

[EmJ]

Great, thank you!
I think I may need to invest in a few more reference books. The trouble is I find they tend to focus on very rare/expensive weights and therefore not much info out there for the more humdrum type of weights that I tend to have. Still, I suppose it's the mystery/research that keeps us hooked on them!

Emily

[tropdevin]

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I suspect it is Belgian, or from Alsace - various factories made similar pieces.  As you say, the more mundane are the more challenging ones to research!

[EmJ]

Hi

Thank you - yes, I've just come across this one which looks remarkably similar...

www.pamono.eu/paperweight-press-from-vsl-belgium-1880s

[tropdevin]

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It does - but there is always uncertainty about anyone's attribution!