Unique Artists Proof Caithness Paperweight Seal by Christine Beaton

This artists proof paperweight was originally in the Caithness Museum and has only came to market after the company went into receivership in 2004. Caithness Glass originally started as a small glassworks in 1961 making vases and bowls for the tourist trade. Two years later, Paul Ysart, already a world renowned glass maker, joined the company and was recruited to teach local people how to make glass although he was very secretive about his paperweight making techniques and taught them only to a few selected people. At that time, the company did not make paperweights and Paul and his apprentices Peter Holmes and Willie Manson made them after work and at weekends. The years that followed saw Caithness grow into a major operation making paperweights, Jewellery, clocks, vases, bowls and scent bottles etc. and today, their paperweights are recognised worldwide as fine collectors items. In 1976, a whole new team of designers and engravers started copperwheel engraving paperweights for Caithness and amongst them and prominent were David Gulland, Denis Mann and Christine Beaton. The present weight being offered for sale is an original artists proof by Christine Beaton originally housed in the Caithness museum (not meant for sale, but to be viewed as part of Caithness paperweight history) and as such, is a total one off proof with only a very limited edition of 100 subsequent weights of this beautiful design approved and produced for retail sale. The weight can be seen to be fully signed (engraved) by Beaton and must have been a very early weight by her at Caithness as it is clearly dated 09 '76. This stunning work is in excellent condition and to the underside can clearly be seen the lot number sticker '30' that was the original number given to the weight when the company went into receivership and assets (including museum pieces that were never meant to be sold) came on to the open market. This rare and scarce piece depicting a very finely engraved seal (to the angled front) just having jumped into the water and in turn creating a splash, measures 7.5 cm high and 8.5 cm wide. A truly one off opportunity to acquire a stunning weight and small part of Caithness paperweight history.