ACQUISITIONS

We delight in seeing fine paperweight artworks accepted into the collections of museums.  These we will refer to as Acquisitions.

Institutional acquisitions provide the best showcase for the artist who has had significant  involvement with the art world. It distinguishes those selections from other examples in galleries and most private collections.  We applaud the museums that acquire these works as selecting art with a purpose that educates and excites the museum patron and board trustee alike while raising awareness of the artist himself and securing his place in art history.

These Johne Parsley paperweights were acquired by the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, both during the artist’s life and after his passing. They were donated by collectors who had a keen sense of the Bergstrom-Mahler’s notable existing collection and needs. Additionally, Parsley himself donated one paperweight, Floral Bouquet: 1988 (PW 1988.5.1835), after his involvement with the museum’s outreach programs and appearances at national paperweight conferences.

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Thanks to new gifts over the past three years, the Bergstrom-Mahler now has a total of 20 Johne Parsley paperweights as part of its permanent collection.

Wild Pansies 1991

Johne Parsley (American, 1916-2009)

The hallmark of Johne Parsley paperweights is his wild pansy design. Here are two Johnny Jump Ups  vibrantly reflected in violet, blue and yellow.  Six green leaves on arching stems support these floral blooms. Blue “P” signature cane is encased.

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PW 2020.7.3980 

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan

as part of the BMMOG New on View

Early Lampwork Red Flower circa 1984

Johne Parsley (American, 1916-2009)

Small fantasy red flower with petals and yellow center with red bud mark an early weight by the artist. A crown of straited green leaves surround the flower and balance on each side of a main stem. 7x1 facets.

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PW 2020.7.3982

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan

as part of the BMMOG New on View

Daffodil and Pink Flower Bouquet 1992

Johne Parsley (American, 1916-2009)

Two striking bouquets of yellow daffodils and pink flowers with white tips come to life as they float over a cobalt ground.  A garland of nine green leaves support a pink bud with a signature cane centered under the garland.

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 PW 2020.7.3985

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan

as part of the BMMOG New on View

 Pink Dogwood on Cobalt Ground – Two Views 1990

Johne Parsley (American, 1916-2009)​

Finger-cut faceting magnifies a single Pennsylvania pink dogwood bloom with one bud on cobalt ground. Ten green leaves support this striking flower and embrace Parsley’s signature cane.

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PW 2020.7.3987 

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan as part of the BMMOG New on View

Floral Bouquet: 1988

Lampwork floral bouquet containing a five-petal white flower and a yellow flower flanks tall central rose-red flower (five green sepals)--all with yellow stamens, and yellow and orange knotweed stock; olive-green stems, 13 yellow-green leaves. Cobalt blue/white "P" signature cane. Deep translucent cobalt blue ground, polished pontil area and basal ring.  Periphery signed "JP 1988."

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PW 1988.5.1835 

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Gift of Johne Parsley

Seven Flower Bouquet: 1995

Lampwork of six flowers in yellow, pink, and blue surround a single Pennsylvania dogwood blossom. A bouquet of green stems and leaves cascades behind the blossoms which unfold over a blue ground; white “JP” signature cane set in leaves.

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PW 2014.11.2661

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan in memory of Gary's mother, Mabel R. McClanahan

Floral Paperweight: 1987

Contemporary 6 X 1 faceted lampwork paperweight with pink rose, pink rose bud and green leaves/stem float over a translucent cobalt blue ground. “P” signature cane at base of motif, and scratch signed JP-1987.

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 PW 2018.14.3684

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Gift of Gary and Marge McClanahan

Please watch for more accessioned weights from the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

and other art museums around the country.

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