Collections Of Paperweights Or Wig Balls (19th Century)

Three highly decorative paperweights or wig balls dating from the second half of the 19th century, probably French or English, unmarked.

The technique used to make these paperweights is called "crystallo-ceramic" in French. This production method, which combines ceramics and glass, was popular in the 19th century at glassworks such as Val Saint Lambert and Baccarat. The decorative figurines were made of an opaque material, often a type of ceramic or porcelain. The figurine was then carefully encapsulated in a solid, clear crystal ball. The glass surrounding the figurine was then hand-shaped and placed on a characteristic hollow foot. The result is a fascinating object where the figurines are magnified through the glass, creating a three-dimensional effect. In the 19th century, these objects were sometimes called "wig balls" because they closely resembled the stands on which men of privileged backgrounds displayed their white-powdered wigs. Moreover, despite their relatively low height, these objects would also have been frequently used at that time to hold a wig.

This was particularly true in densely populated cities where the introduction of lead pipes for drinking water proved to have a detrimental effect on hair growth, prompting many men to revert to the 17th- and 18th-century custom of wearing wigs.

The largest paperweight features a beautiful, refined image of a kneeling figure in a wooded setting, surrounded by various animals. The design of the other two pieces is more figurative.