Miswest Glass Companies
Numerous glass factories sprang up in the Middle West when cheap fuel became available in this region with the discovery of natural gas. One of these was the F. B. Leach bottle factory established at Fowlerton, Indiana, in 1896. During the early period of this company's operation, until about 1898, it produced paperweights, glass hats, toothpick holders, and various other small articles. Thereafter-until the gas gave out in 1904-production was expanded to include fruit jars, glass oil containers, and bottles. The paperweights made by this company, mostly upright, bright designs, have been copied so successfully that it is difficult to distinguish the the Fowlerton weights from later products.
| Much quicksilver was used by the Fowlerton factory in fashioning its weights. One type combines arches of yellow and brown glass with mossy effects produced by the use of quicksilver. An elongated table forms the center. A large collection of these weights, such as the one on the left, are owned by the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Many other weights of which we have record were produced in factories throughout nearby Ohio. The White Glassworks of Zaneville used a rose similar to that of Barber in certain of its weights; but the weight and the rose were both flatter and smaller, and the rose had no leaves. From this source came also the only iris weight known in America.
The American lily weights, which are attractive in color, design, and workmanship, and are distinguishable by a tall center bubble were distributed in large quantities by the Ravenna Glass Company of Ohio about 1880. The originals had high crowns and were made large, somewhat like door stops. These are being copied extensivly in smaller form today, and the copies can be picked up in any gift shop. A pair of mantel ornaments having a large center lily and three smaller ones arranged around the outside, all with large bubbles for stamens and all incased in a greenish white glass are fine examples of the work of this factory.
Although at least one glass factory was established in California as early as 1863, the greater part of the American glass industry did not show a great deal of inclination to follow the westward course of empire beyond the Middle West. Throughout the history of the world, important developments in glass manufacture have depended upon abundant supplies of good sand and cheap, suitable fuel.
It does not matter whether your collection of weights is large or small. You derive a certain amount of pleasure in possessing it, from learning the history of each piece, and from intimate contact with things that are beautiful. The interest increases with time, and the individual old glass paperweights carry with them the mystery and magic inherited from days long gone.
It does not matter whether your collection of weights is large or small. You derive a certain amount of pleasure in possessing it, from learning the history of each piece, and from intimate contact with things that are beautiful. The interest increases with time, and the individual old glass paperweights carry with them the mystery and magic inherited from days long gone.
