PAPERWEIGHTs Suitcase

PAPERWEIGHTs
Suitcase
Paperweights Suitcase
The Paperweights Suitcase comprises of 12 paperweights from the
Gibb Paperweight Collection which forms part of the National Art Glass
Collection. The Gibb Paperweight Collection was donated in 1997 by
Mr and Mrs Cecil Gibb. This collection was begun by Mrs Gibb while travelling
with her husband on numerous trips overseas. They come from all over the
world. This suitcase contains English, Australian and Chinese Paperweights.
A key feature and activity of the Paperweight Suitcase is that the works can be
handled. The shapes, surfaces and tactile qualities of each work can be
explored, examined and enjoyed.
Before You Start:
It is helpful to have several adults on hand to assist with the handling of the
objects. Alternatively work in small groups (suggested ratio of 1 to 10). Adult
supervision is essential.
Condition Reporting:
Each venue is responsible for condition reporting each work in the
Paperweight Suitcase upon arrival and departure. Condition reports are
located within the suitcase. Please mark on the appropriate pages should any
changes occur to the works. Print your name, organisation and date of receipt
upon arrival, and date of departure.
Please ensure that:
hands are clean at all times
 paperweights are handled with two hands
 personal jewellery is removed to prevent scratching
 it is preferable that students are seated while handling the paperweights, preferably on a carpeted area.
Artist Name: Unknown
Title: Chinese
Medium: Lampworked fish
Size: 7.5 x 6.0 x 7.5 cm
Artist Name: Julio Santos
Title: Fish
Medium: Lampwork - clear
ground
Size: 5.0 x 9.2 x 9.2 cm
Activities
 Locate China on a Map. How much of China is near the water?
 Julio Santos lives in Tomago. Locate this on a map of New South Wales. How close is Tomago to a sea or river?
 Do you think these are fresh water fish or a salt water fish?
 Can you tell a story about this fish? You can use pictures and maps.
 Design a piece of glass that uses a fish from the area where you live.
Artist Name: Julio Santos
Title: Green marbic
Medium: Marbled green
weight
Size: 6.9 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm
Artist Name: Strathearn
Title: Upright faceted
Medium: Upright faceted shaped
weight
Size: .14 x 4.8 x 4.8 cm
Activities

How many shapes can you see on these paper
weights?

These paperweights use repetition of a shape to
form a pattern. Experiment with shapes to see what patterns you can make.

What unusual shaped paperweight can you make from these patterns?
Artist Name: Caithness Glass
Title: Ark Royal
Medium: Formed, shaped and polished
by hand
Size: .7.9 x 9.5 x 8.9 cm
Activities
 Do you know what an Ark Royal is? What does the Ark Royal do?
 Have a look at the notes inside the paperweight box. Why do you think this paperweight was made?
 Why do you think people collect things
commemorating objects?

Investigate what people collect and why they collect.
Artist Name: 'J' Jay glass
Title: Overlay
Medium: Individually styled double
overlay on a clear glass base
Size: 5.0 x 8.0 x 8.0 cm
Artist Name: Pairpoint
Title: Pink and white crown
Medium: Miniature crown with twisted
ribbons and lacy twists of
latticinio
Size: 4.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 cm
Artist: Name: Knost
Title: Knost bubble weight
Medium: Hotworked
Size: 6.0 x 4.0 x 4.0 cm
Activities

All of these paperweights rely on repetition to
create the pattern. What is repetition?
Make a papier-mâché sphere. What patterns would turn this sphere into your own paperweight? You could paint it, cut into it, stick pictures onto and into the sphere or even put something inside that you can only see from certain angles.


Look at the paperweights from different angles.
Do they change? View your classroom through an ordinary drinking glass or plastic bottle. What
happens when you put water into them?
Artist Name: Perthshire
Paperweights Ltd.
Title: Patterned millefiori PP31
(Green)
Medium: Patterned millefiori with
ribboning
Size: 5.0 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm
Artist Name: Perthshire
Paperweights Ltd.
Title: Patterned Millefiori (red)
Medium: Patterned millefiori with
ribboning
Size: 5.0 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm
Activities
These paperweights use a technique called millefiori.
Coloured glass canes are grouped together then sliced
thinly and embedded in the surface of the glass. The
word is Italian for 'a thousand flowers'.
 Look closely at the images in the paperweights. How do you think these are made?
 Does anything you see in these paperweights remind you of something in your own life? (shapes, colours, objects, events)
 Draw a circle the size of a bread and butter plate. From magazines cut flowers, plants or any objects and arrange them to form your own millefiori paper
weight.
Artist Name: Perthshire
Paperweights Ltd.
Title: Butterfly
Medium: Silhouette can with
garland millefiori cane border
Size: 5.0 x 8.0 x 8.0 cm
Artist Name: Perthshire
Paperweights Ltd.
Title: Cruciform
Medium: Complex millefiori
canes divided by a cruciform of
millefiori canes
Size: 5.6 x 7.7 x 7.7 cm
From everyone here at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery,
we hope you enjoyed the
PAPERWEIGHTs
SUITCASE