#0078 A faceted purple glass paperweight featuring a frosted floral motif by Caithness Glass (flaw)

Caithness Glass was founded in Scotland during 1961 by a group of local investors led by Duke of Portland to revive traditional glassmaking crafts in the region. The company quickly became famous for its artistic paperweights, employing skilled designers who pushed the boundaries of studio glass techniques. Each piece was meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who manipulated molten crystal to embed intricate patterns and motifs.

These decorative glass objects were purchased by collectors and tourists to adorn mahogany desks, writing tables, and mantelpieces in homes and offices worldwide. People used them primarily to hold down loose paperwork and letters in drafty rooms before the widespread adoption of modern climate control. Production methods evolved over decades from simple bubble formations to complex multi-layered encased sculptures, though mass production eventually declined as tastes shifted toward minimalist decor.