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C.A. Mcdonald paper weight with a heart shaped design
20th Century, Circa 1905
Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Photographer, Lee O'Neil
Wallaceburg & District Museum

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Beautiful hand shaped pieces of glass are called whimsies because they were created at the "whim" of a glassblower. Glassblowing was such a prestigious occupation that factories would allow the blowers to make items from the glass on their breaks. Whimsies were created to exhibit their artistry and control over the medium. They were produced without the use of machinery.

Even at the time, whimsies were greatly appreciated. A glassblower needed to be on hand when his finished creation came out of the lehrs or they tended to disappear in the lunchboxes and pockets of those closest at hand.

Many of these items were created as gifts for friends and loved ones; some were decorative creations and some had practical applications. Friends and neighbours would proudly hang glass chains in their windows and doorways. Glass swans would line windowsills. Personalized paperweights would be exhibited on the lucky recipient's desk. Glass canes were proudly carried by the glassblowers during Labour parades. Witch balls were hung in windows to scare away evil spirits at night. Pipes, hammers, hatchets, and derby hats were created simply to showcase the blower's dexterity with the molten medium. Darners were used in the home for mending holes in socks. Beautiful glass pitchers served cold drinks, bowls served fruit and spittoons were spat into.

In 1950 access to the glass was restricted due to the full automation of the plant and whimsy production ceased.