Caithness Glass | Sentinel | Paperweight | Hand-Blown Art Glass | Scotland

There is a discipline in working with almost nothing — in trusting that form and light will be enough.

Caithness Glass was established in Wick, Scotland, in 1961. Under the influence of Paul Ysart and later art director Colin Terris, the company developed a distinctive approach to paperweight design — moving away from traditional millefiori toward abstract internal compositions defined by atmosphere, balance and control.

The weight is a near-perfect sphere of clear glass, hand-blown to an 8 cm diameter and a substantial 696 grams. Internally, a mass of crushed white glass occupies the lower half of the weight — fine and granular in texture, banked into an irregular cloud form rising to a loose central peak. Controlled air bubbles of varying sizes are suspended through and above this mass: some held at the margins of the white formation, others floating freely in the clear field above. A single dominant bubble is positioned directly above the peak — centred and deliberate. Viewed through the magnifying dome of the sphere, the combined effect reads as an abstract atmospheric composition. The base is flat and polished. The title Sentinel and “Caithness Scotland” are etched to the underside. The original retail label is present.

There are no chips, cracks, or surface scratches to the glass. The base shows only minimal wear consistent with careful handling. Condition is excellent.

Collector Appeal

Named and engraved Caithness design; strong example of the company’s restrained, atmospheric style; clear internal composition with controlled bubble work; excellent condition with original retail label present; accessible entry point into Caithness Glass paperweight collecting.

• Maker: Caithness Glass, Scotland
• Title: Sentinel
• Form: Spherical paperweight
• Material: Hand-blown art glass
• Diameter: 8 cm
• Weight: 696 g
• Marks: Etched to base — Sentinel, Caithness Scotland; original retail label present
• Condition: Excellent

A paperweight has no function beyond weight and presence — which leaves the maker nowhere to hide.