This is a beautiful Scottish paperweights designed by the glass maestro William Manson. He was responsible for the global recognition of Scotland as a leading nation within the world of glass, and his work can be found in prestigious collections around the world.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY/ William Manson (1951 - 2025) was apprenticed to Paul Ysart at Caithness Glass towards the end of the 1960’s. When Paul left Caithness in 1971 to set up his studio at Harland, William joined him in the new business. After Harland closed in 1974, he returned to Caithness where he stayed until setting up William Manson Paperweights Studio in 1997. Sadly William Manson Snr passed away in 2025. His work is continued by his son William and family from there studio in Stirling. They continue his legacy with the production of stunning limited edition paperweights.
This is another delightful Manson paperweight. The title is etched on the polished pontil mark on the base: Nature Study / Caithness Scotland. It is number 113 out of a small limited edition of 200 (as annotated on the base). It closed at 137 - so not so many where made as originally projected. It dates to 1988.
It is a fine example. The base is a very dark purple colour and inside there are beautifully rendered, delicate lampwork pink and blue flowers. A little ladybird rests on the petals of the central flower - and a long spindly orange and black caterpillar is seen to the right hand side. There is a polished slightly concave viewing facet on the top of the weight and a further five facets around the outside which create an optical illusion that there are more blooms when seen from the side - than are actually there.
It has a diameter of 2 3/4 inches and a height of 2 inches.
Certainly - as fine an example of this type of weight as you might expect to find. I have taken lots of images for your inspection. It is in damage free condition.
It will be sent to you with Royal Mail Tracked and Signed for postage. I will take out some private insurance for you - to make sure that the weight is fully insured against loss or damage in transit.