How to Identify a Caithness Paperweight

glass paperweight image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
Caithness paperweights have a reputation for being the finest in the world and are highly collectable. The first Caithness paperweights were produced in 1969 in the North of Scotland using the traditional methods of millefiori and lampwork to create abstract shapes and bubbles.
Inspired by the colours of the Scottish landscape, such as the purple of heather, and produced in a range of sizes, each unique paperweight is now individually handcrafted in Crieff, Perth.
Tilt or turn the paperweight upside down to observe any manufacturer's markings on the base.
Check the base of the paperweight for the words "Caithness Scotland." All Caithness Glass first-quality paperweights are etched on the base with this marking and the name of the piece. Limited-edition runs feature a code number and size also hand-etched on the base. Unlimited edition paperweights do not carry an edition number, but they do carry a hand-etched production code made up of a letter followed by a number, for example, E147.
- Caithness paperweights have a reputation for being the finest in the world and are highly collectable.
- All Caithness Glass first-quality paperweights are etched on the base with this marking and the name of the piece.
Look for the code "CIIG." Some unlimited-edition paperweights do not meet the strict quality levels required of a first quality Caithness paperweight and are sold as second-quality paperweights through the Caithness Glass Visitor Centre and factory outlets. These paperweights are marked with this code on the base.
More Articles
What Do the Numbers on the Bottom of Art Pottery Tea Pots Mean?→
How to Identify Ceramic Tile Markings→

How to Identify Napco Ceramics by Marks & Numbers→

How to Identify a Kern & Sohne Clock→
How to find the value of a crystal decanter→

How to Identify Authentic Louis Vuitton Date and Production Codes→

References
Resources
- Caithness Glass
- "Caithness Paperweights: A Charlton Standard Catalogue" (2nd Edition); Colin Terris; 2004
Writer Bio
Lloyd Fay began writing professionally in 2007 and has had articles published in the "Glasgow Evening Times" newspaper, "Reverb" magazine and Channel 4’s Teletext. He has contributed online to soccer magazine FourFourTwo as well as the movie tome "Lights, Camera, Soundtracks." Fay has a Diploma in Journalism from Glasgow Metropolitan College and a degree with distinction in media from the University of Paisley.