Paperweight

1750-1825

Measurements

3-1/2 in x 3-1/2 in (dia)

Materials

Lignum vitae, lead (inset weight)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3555

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

This turned, domed object with a ball turning in the middle top has a cylindrical chunk of lead inset in the underside, which adds weight to the paperweight.  The diffuse-porous and dense hardwood visible on the bottom has coloring suggestive of lignum vitae  Grown along the northern coast of South America, the wood was exported to Europe and to the United States primarily for use in marine pulleys.  The simple design of this paperweight make identification of where and when it was made difficult, if not impossible.