Topic: small paperweight id pls

[WhatHo!]

Hi, it will be interesting to see what you guys think of this.
Its 1 3/4" across and has a flat ground base with wear. Although the base is flat ground you can see very very slight angles on it if you get the light just right.
Thanks for any help, cheers Wolfie

[bat20]

I found a damaged one and posted it here,it's early Chinese an very collect able,although I think there are a few who believe them to be bohemian.

[SophieB]

Hi,

I also believe it is old Chinese. Hopefully, Alan T. will see this post. In the meantime have a look at his website, he has a page on Chinese weights including some old ones:

http://www.pwts.co.uk/pages/Chinese%20older%20paperweights.htm

SophieB

[WhatHo!]

Thanks everyone, the canes look better quality than the average Chinese weight I know, maybe that's why some think they are not Chinese?

[tropdevin]

***

I agree - Chinese.  The left hand side top two in the image below are fairly similar The canes are better than average...but some have to be, unless all are the same :-)

I know that these have occasionally been called Bohemian in the past, but all the characteristics are much more like Chinese pieces than Bohemian - and they never turn up in central Europe.

Alan

[paperweights]

Not everyone agrees.  I believe this style is not Chinese but most likely originated in Europe.  No definitive proof has been offered either way. 

[WhatHo!]

I had a felling there might be mixed views on this paperweight.
What date are early Chinese paperweights from?

[Fuhrman Glass]

Most of the Chinese weights have milli that have 6 lobes in the center or other sections. This weight has everything produced with 5 lobes/star, that may indicate that it has a different origin.

[tropdevin]

***

Hi.  I believe that these early Chinese paperweights were made in the 1900 to 1930 period.  I think the 'five lobe' rather than 'six lobe' may represent a different factory in China, rather than a different country of origin.  The profile of these pieces and the glass are quite unlike any known 'Bohemian'* pieces, and quite like later Chinese ones. That is not proof, I realise, but I think it is a strong indicator.

* Bohemian.  This word seems to get used very loosely  (especially in the US)  to mean anything from Central / Northern Europe that is not French, Italian or Belgian.  So items from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Thuringia, Austria and elsewhere can all end up being called 'Bohemian'.

[paperweights]

Again, I disagree.  The glass is unlike that found in Chinese paperweights of the period.  It is clear glass and does not attract moisture, contrasted with the the high soda ash glass that causes the Chinese paperweights to develop an oily feel.  The circular base is ground flat, not fire finished.  We don't know where these paperweights come from and it may very well be an unknown European factory or even an unknown American factory.