St. Louis, French Glass Paperweights
_More than a thousand years may now be passed over at one bound to the
16th Century, when we find glas makers already established in the Vosges
Mountains, a region destined to remain one of the famous centers for
the manufacture of glass.
In 1782 La Verrerie de St. Louis was established by Henry Havard under the protection of Monsieur de Colbert and Louis XIV. St. Louis was located in these same Vosges Mountains, where sand of fine quality and fuel were both abundant. Fuel here means wood. As early as 1635 the English had found that coal fires, although they produced a glass of richer color, could not compete with wood fires in making white flint glass. Fine crystal required fires made from absolutely dry logs, cut into small pieces. Twelve hours of heating were necessary for forming the elements into clear crystal of the finest quality.
In 1782 La Verrerie de St. Louis was established by Henry Havard under the protection of Monsieur de Colbert and Louis XIV. St. Louis was located in these same Vosges Mountains, where sand of fine quality and fuel were both abundant. Fuel here means wood. As early as 1635 the English had found that coal fires, although they produced a glass of richer color, could not compete with wood fires in making white flint glass. Fine crystal required fires made from absolutely dry logs, cut into small pieces. Twelve hours of heating were necessary for forming the elements into clear crystal of the finest quality.
_The first paperweights are supposed to have been made
at St.Louis about the year 1820. Made from cullets and scraps, these
were crude amd rough--inferior in finish and appearance even to the
"candy" type weights made in later years.
The first dated paperweights on which we have authentic information are those signed and dated "S. L. 1845." A small vase with a millefiori base, dated "S. L. 1845," but with the figures reversed, suggests that dates were unusual at that time. Very likely this was the first time the workman who made this vase had incorporated a date with the design, and the result was only partially successful.
The first dated paperweights on which we have authentic information are those signed and dated "S. L. 1845." A small vase with a millefiori base, dated "S. L. 1845," but with the figures reversed, suggests that dates were unusual at that time. Very likely this was the first time the workman who made this vase had incorporated a date with the design, and the result was only partially successful.
