More About Millville Glass Paperweights
_It is not worth while, of course, to quibble over the circumstances under which a weight was made if the result is attractive and represents good workmanship.
Leaves were made separately by men over a Bunsen burner in the lamp room, where the small pieces could be shaped and reheated. The rose was formed from a quantity of molten glass which was marvered {or rolled) into cylindrical shape and flattened at one end. Then the amount of colored glass necessary to form the rose was reheated and placed against the base. The rose crimp was forced quickly into the clear glass, and the form was instantly withdrawn. The inside base of the crimp was covered with a thin layer of plaster. The purpose of this was to prevent the intense heat of the molten glass from melting the petals where they were soldered onto the base. Leaves were then added to make the rose appear full blown. The whole was then dipped again and shaped and a base was formed as desired. In the finished weight, the rose appears much larger than it really is, on account of the magnifying qualities of the glass. A green rose without leaves and the calla lily are two rare types seldom found.
Leaves were made separately by men over a Bunsen burner in the lamp room, where the small pieces could be shaped and reheated. The rose was formed from a quantity of molten glass which was marvered {or rolled) into cylindrical shape and flattened at one end. Then the amount of colored glass necessary to form the rose was reheated and placed against the base. The rose crimp was forced quickly into the clear glass, and the form was instantly withdrawn. The inside base of the crimp was covered with a thin layer of plaster. The purpose of this was to prevent the intense heat of the molten glass from melting the petals where they were soldered onto the base. Leaves were then added to make the rose appear full blown. The whole was then dipped again and shaped and a base was formed as desired. In the finished weight, the rose appears much larger than it really is, on account of the magnifying qualities of the glass. A green rose without leaves and the calla lily are two rare types seldom found.
_An hour or more was required to assemble the various parts into a finished weight, and thereafter the weight had to be tempered for three or four days in an annealing oven. The temperature in such an oven was maintained at 850 degrees to produce the temper that would enable the weight to resist a change of temperature or a heavy blow.
Ralph Barber, who made weights during the period from 1905 to 1912 died in 1936. In his later years he must have been greatly pleased to see his work so widely appreciated by collectors. No doubt he was also somewhat surprised to find that the weights which he made and sold for $1.50 each were being sought after eagerly at many times the small original price.
Ralph Barber, who made weights during the period from 1905 to 1912 died in 1936. In his later years he must have been greatly pleased to see his work so widely appreciated by collectors. No doubt he was also somewhat surprised to find that the weights which he made and sold for $1.50 each were being sought after eagerly at many times the small original price.
