Object of the Day: A Caithness Paperweight Commemorating Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee

As a longtime collector of paperweights, I’ve always had a special fondness for the work of Scottish glass company, Caithness. So, when I recently found this Caithness paperweight commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s first fifty years on the throne, I was particularly excited because it satisfied two of my collecting passions.

This paperweight—signed and numbered—shows a Tudor Rose atop an abstract ground of gold and regal purple. Above the red rose is a suspended bubble in the crystal signifying the Queen’s power and elegance. The top surface of the piece in etched with the date of Her Majesty’s accession.  As you can see, Bertie approves.

Object of the Day: A Bewitching Paperweight by Caithness Glass

Since 1961, Scotland-based Caithness Glass has been producing beautiful art glass pieces inspired by the scenes and hues of the Scottish landscape. I have collected many pieces of Caithness Glass over the decades and, as a teenager, was a member of the Caithness Collectors Club. Their paperweights have long been heralded for their beauty and quality. In fact, in 1968 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, granted Caithness a Royal Warrant for their exceptional work.


This amethyst-toned paperweight by Caithness designer Alastair MacIntosh, entitled “Bewitched” takes its color cues from the purple heather of Scotland. Lilac tendrils sway around a silvery Baroque bubble which floats above a bed of aubergine. It is, indeed, a bewitching piece which speaks of the magic of Scotland and the impeccable sorcery of the masters of Caithness Glass.

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.