The base of the paperweight is made of an off-white alabaster. The bottom of the base is roughly pyramidal in shape, gradually tapering upwards forming an elongated cylindrical shape. On the front of the base is an incised decorative patter in gold. The pattern follows that shape of the base. It begins at the bottom as a symmetrical triangle of curving lines, moving up to a group of six dots at the point where the base begins to taper. Two lines then follow the tapered neck of the vase upwards coming to a point about two-thirds the way to the top. Three incised dots of gold in a triangular arrangement crown the pattern. Placed on top of the narrow neck of the vase is a gilded bronze head of a woman. Her hair is in a short bob and swirls around here head as if caught in the wind. It pushes forward onto her left cheek and stand up at a point at the top of her head. She looks upwards with an inquisitive facial expression. Her left eye is closed slightly, and her eyebrows are raised. Beneath a pointed nose her mouth is closed and cheeks are pulled out.

There are 4 other images of this object. See our image rights statement.

Object Timeline

1909	Work on this object began.
1913	Work on this object ended.
1956	We acquired this object.
1970	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2018	We photographed this object.
2019	We photographed this object.
2022	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Paperweight, from Madame Guimard's Desk at the Hôtel Guimard, Paris, France Paperweight

This is a paperweight. It was designed by Hector Guimard and executor: Unknown. It is dated 1909–1913 and we acquired it in 1956. Its medium is alabaster, bronze, gold. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

It is credited Gift of Mme. Hector Guimard.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 15.1 x 6.3 x 3 cm (5 15/16 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/16 in.)

It is signed

"Hector Guimard" (along the base of the pedestral on the back)

Cite this object as

Paperweight, from Madame Guimard's Desk at the Hôtel Guimard, Paris, France Paperweight; Designed by Hector Guimard ((French, 1867–1942)); Executor: Unknown; France; alabaster, bronze, gold; H x W x D: 15.1 x 6.3 x 3 cm (5 15/16 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/16 in.); Gift of Mme. Hector Guimard; 1956-76-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Hector Guimard.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2CmTc/
Accession Number 1956-76-1
Object ID 18410777