Chicago Paperweights

This small porcelain object is a scale weight from the late Ming-dynasty (1368-1644), a dense counterweight for a tabletop balances used by merchants to ...

This small porcelain object is a scale weight from the late Ming-dynasty (1368-1644), a dense counterweight for a tabletop balances used by merchants to ...

Green glass Nailsea paper weight. Founded 1788, the Nailsea Glassworks in Somerset, England found itself one of the largest English glass works by the 1830's. The glassworks closed i...

Monique Gerber French bronze cast letter opener in a very sculptural and minimalist form. Designed Monique Gerber. Can be used as a sculptural object or paper weight as well. Remin...

This elegant paperweight from the early 20th century is expertly crafted of cut glass and floral silver overlay in the manner of Art Nouveau. The translucent glass cube is shaped wit...

This early 20th-century English desk clip is a charming and practical piece of history. Featuring a brass horseshoe mounted on a chip-carved wood base, it was originally designed to ...

This small rock crystal carving is a personalized seal once used by a Qing-dynasty scholar-official to sign important documents. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely used by anyone who regularly signed formal documents, such as scholar-officials, merchants, and doctors. The final addition to any document or calligraphy painting, seal marks conveyed the scholar's authority and affirmed the document's authenticity. Seals were one of the many treasured accessories of the scholars' studio and many were carved from fine materials such as jade or jasper. This crystal seal...

This small porcelain column recreates the personalized seals used to sign important documents throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely us...

This small porcelain block recreates the personalized seals used to sign important documents throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely use...

Alongside the Four Treasures of a Chinese scholar - paper, brush, ink, and inkstone - this delicate porcelain water coupe likely once resided on the desk of a great calligrapher. Created in the mid-19th century, this petite coupe would have sat beside an inkstone, and held the water used to mix the scholars' ink. An excellent example of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, the dish is expressively painted with plum blossoms and eternal knot...

A playful vintage brass horseshoe paperweight meant to bestow good luck, prosperity, and good fortune--or just hold the papers in place on your desk.

Monique Gerber French bronze cast letter opener in a very sculptural and minimalist form. Designed Monique Gerber. Can be used as a sculptural object or paper weight as well. Re...