Although I am not showing the front of this Spider Art Paperweight due to copyright concerns, I found it very interesting. The other side of this paperweight is a cut out of a vintage spider species chart by Ernst Haeckel. His illustrations are also known as biology art.
Brief History of Paperweights
Paperweights are used to hold down papers and are sometimes made of glass. The paperweight evolved in Venice and then spread to France in 1845. One of the most popular motifs is milleflori, (which means thousand flowers in Italian). This is a specialized glasswork technique where a floral pattern is produced using layered rods which are sliced to produce a flower like pattern.
Fruit, flowers, insects and other small objects are often used in making paperweights. The classic paperweight shape is round and domed.
During the 1950’s paperweights became very popular leading to paperweight collectors. Some paperweights can cost thousands of dollars.
In checking online, I noticed that some resin paperweights contain what looks like real tarantulas or other large spiders.
Brief Ernst Haeckel Biography
However, back to Ernst Haeckel (1848-1919), the artist that made the vintage chart encased within this paperweight.
Ernst was a German zoologist, naturalist, and artist. His illustrations are known for their beauty which contributed to the Art Nouveau Movement. His artwork not only served for scientific purposes but captured the imaginations of many showcasing his detailed works of art and nature.
Ending Notes of Spider Art Paperweight
I am not a person who loves to see a spider in my house. However, I know spiders are useful and important in nature.
One time while collecting donations, a spider was somehow mixed in with the dollar bills. He took off from our counting table. I got up and moved away. However, the person I was working with, picked up the spider and took it outside. She received two spider bites for her kind efforts.
I am never that brave to pick up a spider but certainly applaud her reverence for nature and life.
I love this paperweight for many reasons; however, I’m dashing out the door if a big spider comes near me.
A big thank you to Merrifield Garden Center for allowing me to photograph this unique paperweight and other items in their stores. This item and many others are available for purchase there.
Resource Sites: Wikipedia and Google AI Overview