Paperweight Jellyfish in glass in small size 5x7 cm

You can place a paperweight on your desk to keep papers from blowing away. The word originates from French and shares the same pronunciation. The word "pressepapiers" appears in both singular and plural forms in French. In Dutch, one only writes an extra 's' in the plural. People do not pronounce that s. Metal, glass, or stone are common materials for paperweights. Typically, its size allows for easy storage in a drawer. It does need some weight. Modern offices typically prohibit window openings, leading to a decreasing use of paperweights. In earlier centuries, when the paperweight was a common utility item, there was often an effort to make the object as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Later, it also became an art object. Eventually, the paperweight lost its functional value, yet it continues to exist solely as an art object. Thus, collectors often design the modern paperweight specifically for their collection. In this context, we also use more modern materials like polyester and laser-engraved crystal. Following the introduction of paperweights, these objects underwent further development to become snow globes.