Object of the Day: Opus ’88 by Caithness Glass

As I’ve mentioned previously, Scottish Art Glass company, Caithness Glass has been producing amazing and exceptional works of art since 1961. Of the many Caithness pieces in my collection, one particular favorite is this floral-inspired paperweight entitled, Opus ’88.


Designed by Colin Terris, the piece is described in its accompanying paperwork as, “Set upon a vibrant cobalt blue base, a delicate rose form rests within a flourish of delicate greenery.” Truly, the fineness of this work is exquisite. The utter skill with which this was created is astounding and represents the brilliance of the artists at Caithness.

Crystal paperweights are fascinating objects, really. Humans have an innate curiosity about anything which reflects light. However, when you add the element of drama inherent in something which appears to be a world unto itself, we can’t help but be enthralled. And, really, that’s what the artists at Caithness have done here. They’ve created a microcosm in glass. The floral form at the center of the paperweight is both detailed and abstract. On first glance, it appears to be a rose, however on closer inspection, we can see that it’s more than that, it’s a series of planes, textures, lines and colors which when combined give us an impression of something familiar. You could study this for hours and always find something new. That, in my opinion, is the essence of art.