More About Making Paperweights 3
Without attempting to cover the subject in all details, it will be apparent from the foregoing that many steps must be taken before the glass is ready for blowing, pressing, and casting, all of which require the use of molten glass.
Another highly important step in the process of glass manufacturing is annealing, which is a systematic, gradual cooling to strengthen the product and make it resistant to the stresses and strains caused by changes of temperature. Because of the many separate elements which enter into the complicated structure of a glass paperweight, it is essential that all parts be annealed uniformly. Otherwise, damage or destruction will result from cracking.
Another highly important step in the process of glass manufacturing is annealing, which is a systematic, gradual cooling to strengthen the product and make it resistant to the stresses and strains caused by changes of temperature. Because of the many separate elements which enter into the complicated structure of a glass paperweight, it is essential that all parts be annealed uniformly. Otherwise, damage or destruction will result from cracking.
| A few more points are worth getting clearly in mind.
Air bubbles in the glass are due to insufficicnt cooking of the metal. The tiny dewdrops on flowers and leaves, as seen on the image to the left, are produced deliberately with drops of alcohol. Unlike the finer small weights, large weights are easier to duplicate, and there is consequently more danger that any large weight is a modern duplication. |
An impression prevails that the age of a paperweight can be determined
by its faceting. In reality, differences are hard to discover --
although it is true that a wedge shaped wheel was invented about 1849
which gave a smoother and better appearance to the cut surfaces of some
of true weights produced after that time.
Mention should be made of the special structural problems involved in the overlay weights. (These, it may be said in passing, are a joy to the collector and the finest examples of the weightmakers "art" - and they are constantly becoming more difficult to find.)
After the overlay weight was all but finished, it was dipped in glass of another color, and the weight was then faceted to show the clear crystal and pattern underneath. A double overlay received two clippings-first in opaque white, then in another opaque color-before the facets were made.
Mention should be made of the special structural problems involved in the overlay weights. (These, it may be said in passing, are a joy to the collector and the finest examples of the weightmakers "art" - and they are constantly becoming more difficult to find.)
After the overlay weight was all but finished, it was dipped in glass of another color, and the weight was then faceted to show the clear crystal and pattern underneath. A double overlay received two clippings-first in opaque white, then in another opaque color-before the facets were made.
