St. Louis Paperweights for
Sale
St. Louis Paperweights for
Sale
Although the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small. Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or dated. The most successful product of this early revival period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to commemorate her coronation in 1953.
After 1955, no additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In 1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual limited edition paperweights.
You can read more about the St. Louis Paperweights in the books:
| 5628 | St. Louis 1981 Pope John Paul II Overlay
Sulphide Limited Edition Paperweight. dated
1981. This St. Louis sulphide paperweight features a ceramic
image of Pope John Paul II. It is encased in clear crystal and
a white overlay with a large top facet and six side facets, each
outlined with a circle of gold enamel. The base is finished
with a diamond (or waffle) cut. The sulphide is marked "GP
JEAN-PAUL II", the GP standing for the sculptor Gilbert Poillerat
who designed the cameo. The paperweight is signed near the
base with gold lettering "SL 1981". It also has its original
"CRISTAL SAINT LOUIS FRANCE" foil label and comes with its original
certificate of authenticity. This paperweight is number 21 out
of a limited edition of 100 overlay paperweights reserved for US
collectors. A wonderful paperweight in perfect
condition.
According to the two books on St. Louis paperweights, the Pope John Paul II sulphide was issued in an edition of 1,000 regular sulphides and 300 white overlays. Of these, 100 of the overlay paperweights were reserved for US collectors. Sulphides are cast objects (animals, flowers, people) made of a ceramic material that has properties similar to the surrounding glass. They are normally white, but are also sometimes colored or even painted. The objects are cast in a mold that copied or made directly from a medallion, coin or sculpture. The finest French sulphides are cast in a mold made by a skilled artist. Often a sulphide will have a silvery appearance due to a thin layer of trapped bubbles between the glass and the sulphide itself. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in 1766. The region was already home to several glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in 1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small. Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or dated. The most successful product of this early revival period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In 1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual limited edition paperweights. Gilbert Poillerat (1902 - 1988) was a French designer, jeweler, and sculptor. He studied at the École Boulle, graduating in 1921. Initially he worked in wrought iron for Edgar Brandt doing design and production work. Later Poillerat branched out to design furniture and other decorative arts. In 1946 he became a professor at the École Nationale des Arts Decoratifs. He taught there for 26 years, all the while continuing his own design output, collaborating with the likes of André Arbus, Jean Pascaud, and Vadim Androusov. During the 1950s, Poillerat became involved in the rediscovery of the art of sulphide paperweights at Baccarat and St. Louis, contributing to many of the early modern sulphide paperweights. Large size: 3 1/16" diameter by 1 15/16" high.
The base is finished with a diamond (or waffle) cut. It is
faceted with a large top facet and six side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture
to see a larger image  |
| 4575 | St. Louis 1973 Millefiori Looped Garlands
Paperweight - Magnum Limited Edition. dated 1973.
This paperweight features a millefiori garland with six loops
arranged a large complex millefiori cane. The six loops
alternate between white and blue canes. The design is placed
on an opaque red ground. It is signed and dated with a "SL
1973" complex millefiori cane between two of the loops. It
also has its original (slightly worn) "CRISTAL SAINT LOUIS FRANCE"
foil label. A precious addition to any collection of Saint
Louis paperweights. According to the two books on St. Louis paperweights, this paperweight was issued in a limited edition of 400 paperweights of which 250 were reserved for US collectors. Note on condition: This paperweight has a small scuff mark (about 3/16" long) on the side near the base. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition with no other damage found. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was
founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in
1766. The region was already home to several
glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in
1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although
the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the
output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small.
Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made
between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or
dated. The most successful product of this early revival
period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to
commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no
additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In
1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori
paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide
weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual
limited edition paperweights. Very large size: 3 1/4" diameter by 2 1/4"
high. The base is ground concave. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$395 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 2999 | Very Early St. Louis 1953 Millefiori
Mushroom Double Overlay Paperweight. dated 1953.
This is one of only a few very early modern St. Louis millefiori
mushroom paperweights. It has a closepacked millefiori design
pulled down to the base to form a mushroom shape. It is signed
and dated with a "SL 1953" millefiori cane in the design. It
has a double overlay of dark blue over light blue and is finished
with a large top facet and five side facets. The base is
ground slightly concave and has a star cutting. This
paperweight is one of the earliest of the modern SL millefiori
mushroom paperweights and was probably made by Paul Gossmann with
guidance from Louis Lutz. A precious addition to any
collection of Saint Louis paperweights. Note on execution: This very early Saint Louis paperweight was made when Saint Louis was exploring the possibility of resuming paperweight production. It should be considered an experiment and is not perfect. The millefiori in the top are smudged and there are some tiny tool marks in the overlay. Paul Gossmann, an 18 year old glass blower at St. Louis, was assigned to try to duplicate the classic designs of the 19th century. Working with Louis Lutz, a retired glassworker from decades earlier, Gossmann experimented with millefiori and with lampwork in 1951 or 1952 and as quality improved made the first overlay paperweights at the end of 1953. His attention was then redirected to the production of sulphide paperweights and the 1953 Queen Elizabeth sulphide. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was
founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in
1766. The region was already home to several
glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in
1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although
the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the
output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small.
Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made
between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or
dated. The most successful product of this early revival
period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to
commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no
additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In
1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori
paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide
weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual
limited edition paperweights. Large size: 3" diameter by just over 2 3/8"
high. The base is ground slightly concave and has a star
cutting. The paperweight is faceted with one large top facet
and a five side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$595 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5896 | Large St. Louis 1980 Pansy on Lace Ground
Limited Edition Paperweight with Fancy Cutting. dated
1980. This dramatic St. Louis paperweight has a large lampwork
pansy with leaves and stem set on a white lace ground. The
pansy has two dark blue upper petals, and three yellow lower
petals. In the center of the flower is a complex millefiori
cane. Each lower petal has three dark lines (crows feet)
radiating from the central cane. There is a large top facet
and a fancy side cutting with 18 side cuts. It is signed with
a complex signature cane "SL 1980" on the base. The
paperweight was issued in a limited edition of 400 paperweights of
which 250 were reserved for American collectors. A wonderful
addition to any collection of St. Louis paperweights. Note: This paperweight was issued in a limited edition of 400 paperweights of which 250 were reserved for American collectors. The original issue price in 1980 was $450. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was
founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in
1766. The region was already home to several
glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in
1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although
the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the
output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small.
Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made
between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or
dated. The most successful product of this early revival
period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to
commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no
additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In
1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori
paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide
weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual
limited edition paperweights. Large Size: 3 1/16" diameter by 1 13/16"
high. The base is ground concave. The paperweight is
faceted with one large top facet and a fancy side cutting with 18
side cuts. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$395 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5966 | Large St. Louis 1986 Spray of Red and
White Lilies of the Valley Paperweight on Turquoise Ground -
Limited Edition with Certificates and Box. dated
1986. This paperweight features a wonderful spray of eleven
red and white lilies of the valley with green leaves and
stems. The flowers are also called bell flowers. The
design is set on an opaque turquoise ground. It is signed in
the center of the base with a St. Louis "SL 1986" complex signature
/ date cane. It comes with two certificates, one from St.
Louis and one from Paul Jokelson. Both identify this as
edition number 31 in a limited edition of 250 paperweights. It
also has its original (worn) blue padded St. Louis box. The
paperweight is finished with a large top facet and six side
facets. An especially nice paperweight with great color and
execution. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in 1766. The region was already home to several glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in 1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small. Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or dated. The most successful product of this early revival period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In 1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual limited edition paperweights. In addition to the three types already mentioned, millefiori, lampwork, and sulphide paperweights, St. Louis also made a small number of designs with gold inclusions. Large size : 3 1/16" diameter by just under 1 13/16"
high. The bottom is ground concave. The paperweight is
finished with a large top facet and six side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large pictureSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image  |
| 5965 | St. Louis 1977 Limited
Edition Five Flower Bouquet Paperweight with Red and White Double
Overlay. dated 1977. This 1977 St. Louis
paperweight features a lampwork bouquet of five red, white, and blue
clematis flowers with green stems and leaves. The design is
placed on a clear ground and encased in a brilliant red and white
double overlay. It is finished with a large top facet and
twelve side facets in two rows, plus a star cut base. The
paperweight is is signed in the center of white flower with a
complex "SL 1977" signature / date cane, although the signature cane
is put in upside down. This limited edition design was offered
by St. Louis in a limited edition of 450 paperweights of which 200
were reserved for the American market. It also has its
original foil label "CRISTAL SAINT LOUIS FRANCE" and comes with its
original certificate of authenticity assigning this as edition
number 269 of the 1150 limited edition paperweights made for the
American market in 1977. It also comes with its original very
worn and stained box. See note below about manufacturing
flaws. A brilliant design. A great addition to any
collection of modern French paperweights. Note about manufacturing flaws: The double overlay has several manufacturing flaws which are shown in the pictures. The most significant is a line on the side where there is a lighter red color. There are also two tiny tool marks, one near the top facet and another near the base. The latter may be a tiny nick or scratch and there is also a nearby scratch on the clear base. All of these marks and scratches are very small but showed up in the pictures. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was
founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in
1766. The region was already home to several
glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in
1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although
the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the
output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small.
Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made
between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or
dated. The most successful product of this early revival
period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to
commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no
additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In
1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori
paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide
weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual
limited edition paperweights. Large Size: 3 1/8" diameter by 2 1/4" high.
The base has a star cut. Finished with a red and white
double overlay and faceted with a large top facet and twelve side
facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$375 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5624 | Magnum St. Louis 1970 Faceted Red Double
Clematis Paperweight. dated 1970. This
paperweight features a wonderful red double clematis with twelve red
petals in two layers, an emerging bud, green sepals, leaves
and stems. There is a complex yellow St. Louis "SL 1970"
signature / date cane in the center of the clematis. The
signature cane is rotated in its placement (almost upside
down). The design is placed over a opaque dark blue (almost
black) ground. The paperweight is faceted with one large top
facet and six side facets. St. Louis started producing annual
limited editions in 1970. This paperweight, the double
clematis, was issued in a limited edition of 800 paperweights, 300
of which were reserved for the American market. Of those
reserved for American collectors, 150 were red and 150 were
pistachio colored. A wonderful paperweight.
St. Louis started producing annual limited editions in 1970. Only three designs were produced in 1970, this faceted double clematis, a large unfaceted dahlia, and a millefiori double overlay mushroom. These paperweights appear in the the two books on St. Louis paperweights, The Art of the Paperweight - Saint Louis (First Edition (1981) and Second Edition (1995) by Gerard Ingold. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in 1766. The region was already home to several glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in 1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small. Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or dated. The most successful product of this early revival period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In 1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual limited edition paperweights. In addition to the three types already mentioned, millefiori, lampwork, and sulphide paperweights, St. Louis also made a small number of designs with gold inclusions. Very Large Size : 3 1/4" diameter by 2" high.
The bottom is ground concave. It is faceted with one large
top facet and six side facets. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$595 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image |
| 5995 | Modern St. Louis Cupid Amour Sulphide
Paperweight. dated 1979. This is a
modern St. Louis sulphide paperweight featuring a ceramic image of
cupid set on a opaque red ground and surrounded by a garland of blue
lampwork flowers with millefiori centers and green leaves.
There is an opaque white layer under the red layer which is visible
from the base. The paperweight was issued in a limited edition
of 400 in 1979. It is faceted with a large top facet and six
side facets. It is signed on the base with a millefiori
signature date cane "SL 1979". A great paperweight with
fantastic color. The conceptual design for the paperweight was by Linda Pope-Selman. Gilbert Poillerat sculpted the model for the image of cupid. The sulphide bears the title AMOUR and the initials of the sculptor (GP). Sulphides are cast objects (animals,
flowers, people) made of a ceramic material that has properties
similar to the surrounding glass. They are normally white,
but are also sometimes colored or even painted. The
objects are cast in a mold that copied or made directly from a
medallion, coin or sculpture. The finest French sulphides
are cast in a mold made by a skilled artist. Often a
sulphide will have a silvery appearance due to a thin layer of
trapped bubbles between the glass and the sulphide itself. Cristalleries de Saint Louis was founded in 1767 in Lorraine, which became part of France in 1766. The region was already home to several glassworks. Paperweight production started at St. Louis in 1845 and most likely continued until about 1860. Although the modern production of paperweights started in 1952, the output of millefiori and lampwork paperweights was small. Fewer than 400 lampwork and millefiori paperweights were made between 1952 and 1955. They were not all signed or dated. The most successful product of this early revival period was the Queen Elizabeth sulphide which was made to commemorate her coronation in 1953. After 1955, no additional weights were made at St. Louis until 1965. In 1965 the factory resumed production of lampwork and millefiori paperweights and then in 1967 they began a series of sulphide weights. Finally, in 1970 they started producing annual limited edition paperweights. Gilbert Poillerat (1902 - 1988) was
a French designer, jeweler, and sculptor. He studied at
the École Boulle, graduating in 1921. Initially he worked
in wrought iron for Edgar Brandt doing design and production
work. Later Poillerat branched out to design furniture and
other decorative arts. In 1946 he became a professor at
the École Nationale des Arts Decoratifs. He taught there
for 26 years, all the while continuing his own design output,
collaborating with the likes of André Arbus, Jean Pascaud, and
Vadim Androusov. During the 1950s, Poillerat became
involved in the rediscovery of the art of sulphide paperweights
at Baccarat and St. Louis, contributing to many of the early
modern sulphide paperweights. Large size: Just under 3 1/8" diameter by just under
1 5/8" high. The bottom is ground concave. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture$295 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click
on the picture to see a larger image
|
Revised 9/4/2023 EI9
