An amazing Signed Paul Stankard. Detailed Branch of Black Berries with White Blossoms. This is a Limited Edition piece and is marked 11/75 on the bottoms edge with an additional number #26275 next to that. The bottom is clear and slightly concave and show negligible shelf ware. This is a lovely size paperweight and measures approximately 2-5/8″ in diameter by 1-3/4″ Tall. I consider this lovely work of art glass to be in Excellent Original Condition and is much better seen in person then in pictures. I did give you a short history below of Paul for your convenience. It is signed with one of Paul’s traditional PS signature Cane in the piece and can easily be seen in the last 2 pictures. Of course no collection is complete without a few of Paul’s Inspiring works of Art Glass Paperweights. The degree at which Paul accomplishes his breathtaking piece is truly astounding. Please check pictures for further description. The Stand is not part of this sale and is only used here for illustrative purposes. I will Consider any Reasonable Offers. On this Wonderful Antique Art Glass Paperweight and Thank You for Looking. Please do not miss my many other lovely Art Glass Paperweight Auctions by various Well Known and Famous Artists. Short History of Paul Stankard. Widely recognized as the father of modern glass paperweights, Paul Joseph Stankard is a visionary and pioneer in the art of glasswork. Born in April 1943 as the second of nine children in an Irish Catholic family, Stankard grew up in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. In 1961, he enrolled at Salem Vocational Technical Institute (now Salem Community College) where he pursued a degree in scientific glassblowing. After completing his studies, Stankard spent the next decade honing his skills, crafting scientific instruments for various chemical laboratories. As Stankard’s expertise grew, so did his interest in exploring glass as an artistic medium. While continuing to work as a scientific glassblower to support his family, he began creating glass paperweights in his garage. His breakthrough came when renowned art dealer Reese Palley discovered Stankard’s work at a craft exhibit on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Impressed by Stankard’s precision and artistry, Palley became a sponsor, enabling Stankard to leave the scientific glass industry and devote himself full-time to the creation of glass paperweights. 1960s American Studio Glass Movement. The American studio glass movement emerged in the 1960s, gaining international attention for its bold colors and exaggerated, cartoonish designs. Stankard, however, took a different approach. His background in scientific glassblowing gave him a foundation of precision and control that set him apart from his contemporaries. Instead of focusing on abstract art, Stankard’s glassworks featured stunningly realistic botanical designs, so lifelike that viewers often believed he had somehow encased real flowers in his pieces. Some even mistook his invented flowers for actual species. As his work gained recognition, other artists in the studio glass movement began to follow his lead. The Creative Journey of an Artist in Glass. In his autobiography, Stankard reflects on the challenges he faced growing up with dyslexia, which caused him to struggle in school and perform poorly on tests. Labeled a slow learner, he graduated at the bottom of his high school class with a low IQ, a label that deeply affected his self-esteem. However, these early struggles ultimately fueled his determination and creativity, leading him to become a trailblazer in the field of glass art. Today, Paul Stankard is internationally celebrated as a master of glass paperweights, having elevated the craft into a respected art form. His work is featured in more than 60 museums worldwide, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Louvre in Paris, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Over his 50-year career, Stankard has received numerous honors, including the Glass Art Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the author of two books. Spark the Creative Flame: Making the Journey from Craft to Art. No Green Berries or Leaves: The Creative Journey of an Artist in Glass. One of my hobbies is collecting Art Glass Paperweights. I’m a member of Midwest Paperweight Collectors Club as well as the Paperweight Collectors Association (PCA) which is our National Club. Please follow me so you won’t miss any of my fabulous items. Pictures are used as part of my descriptions. ONLY if there is a Mistake in the description. If you receive your item and the box is damaged please keep that for. From the shipper should they need it back. Thank you very much.
