pa*per*weight (n). A small, heavy, often decorative object that is placed on loose papers to hold them down, also known as collectible, contemporary objects of beauty
The handblown artglass paperweights Virginia and Tony create are extremely collectible and are made with great care and devotion. All made personally by Virginia Wilson Toccalino and Tony Toccalino at their glassblowing studio using Venetian influenced glass making techniques, developed in Murano Italy in the year 1526, Working at their glassblowing studio in Milton, On in the Greater Toronto Area the filigree and millifiori techniques used in these weights was are the same techniques used in the past and largely responsible for the fame enjoyed by Murano glass today. Every paperweight is unique and one of a kind unless identified as a limited edition run. There may be some similar in color and pattern but no two of their handblown art glass paperweights are the same. Some of the paperweights are hand signed with a diamond bit, some have signature murrinis to identify the artist. We also have handblown art glass eggs that have no flat spot.. All handblown glass made by Virginia and Tony is annealed in a digitally controlled annealer for strength and durability. The images you’ll see are of our actual art glass selection and the piece you will receive should you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting fine Canadian Handblown art glass.
Filigree glass was invented in Murano Italy by glass masters Filippo and Bernardo Catani of the glass house Sirena in 1526, an elaborate process that was indeed difficult to perform. Filigree Glass, unlike conventional blown glass, was suitable for only the uppermost tables of society as it was not common. This elaborate form of Filigrana Glass is responsible for the fame of Murano style glass today. Currently, with new design innovations and increasing levels of workmanship, the patterns able to be embedded in these artglass paperweights appear to be limitless, bringing much appreciation and joy to collectors of the beloved Filigree Glass technique.
Dichroic glass is used in our Stardust Series paperweights and Stardust Eggs and was developed by the space industry for window filters on space craft. It is made by depositing several very thin layers of rare metal oxides on the surface of a piece of glass, then bombarding the particles with an intense electron beam in a high temperature vacuum chamber. the term ‘Dichroic‘ is defined as the property of exhibiting more than one colour when viewed from different angles. Virginia fires her glass in a kiln at high temperatures a number of times to achieve the finished result. The colour of each piece can be quite unpredictable. Dichroic glass possesses a similar effect that is witnessed in nature on inset wings, peacock and hummingbird feathers. When the dichroic glass is fired in the kiln, its reflective qualities are enhanced to make it sparkle and shine an increased amount.
