Steinlen Le Chat Noir Museum Desk Paperweight – Glass Dome 3W

Museum Desk Paperweight with Steinlen’s Le Chat Noir

This museum desk paperweight brings Théophile Steinlen’s famous black cat into your everyday workspace. Inspired by the 1896 Le Chat Noir cabaret poster, it captures the bold silhouette and glowing eyes that made the Parisian cat a symbol of Belle Époque Montmartre.

Under the smooth glass dome, the black cat stands against a warm golden ground. The design recalls the lively cabarets, cafés, and poster-covered streets of fin-de-siècle Paris. As a compact glass desk paperweight, it keeps papers in place while adding a touch of historic poster art to your table or shelf.

The polished dome gently magnifies the artwork beneath. Deep blacks, rich yellows, and touches of red echo the original lithograph’s theatrical mood. This piece works as both a functional tool and a small collectible for cat lovers and Paris enthusiasts.

Details of This Museum Desk Paperweight

This museum desk paperweight is designed for daily use yet finished with gift-ready details. It arrives in an elegant presentation box with satin-style lining. The weight feels substantial, so it sits firmly on letters, notes, or small documents.

• Round glass dome with Le Chat Noir cat motif under clear glass.
• Measures approx. 3 in W × 3 in L × 1.5 in H.
• Weighs about 0.9 lbs, ideal as a museum desk paperweight.
• Smooth underside with protective base to help reduce scratching.
• Presented in an elegant gift box with sateen-style lining.
• Part of the Parastone Museum Gift Collection. PN PSTE1.

This piece makes a charming gift for cat lovers, fans of Belle Époque décor, and anyone who enjoys a refined desk artwork with a story behind it. It fits nicely on office desks, home workspaces, or in a reading nook alongside art books.

Le Chat Noir and Parisian Poster Art

Théophile Steinlen (1859–1923) was a Swiss-born French artist who became one of Montmartre’s most beloved illustrators. His posters and prints often depict cats, workers, and street life, capturing both the charm and the struggles of turn-of-the-century Paris. The Le Chat Noir cabaret served as a meeting place for writers, musicians, and artists.

The famous black cat poster advertised that cabaret while also helping to define the look of Parisian poster art. Its strong outline, stylized lettering, and piercing gaze made it an instant classic. This desk paperweight preserves that iconic image in a small, practical format you can enjoy every day.

Steinlen’s work also reflects his concern for social issues. He often drew working-class families, animals, and everyday scenes with warmth and empathy. The black cat stands at the center of this world of cafés, streets, and printed posters that shaped public life in Belle Époque France.

Coordinating Le Chat Noir and Paris-Themed Pieces

You can build a small Paris corner by pairing this museum art paperweight with other Steinlen and poster-art pieces from our shop. The bold silhouette and golden background connect across several items.

• Black cat figurine: Le Chat Noir Black Cat Statue by Steinlen
• Parisian poster coasters: Parisian Posters Lautrec & Steinlen Coasters Set of 4
• Explore more French-themed gifts in our French Collection.

Together, these pieces turn a small shelf or desktop into a slice of Montmartre. The Steinlen paperweight anchors the group as a useful object that also celebrates historic poster art.

For More Reading from the Web

Learn more about Théophile Steinlen and his role in poster art and social commentary:

• Crystal Bridges Museum – Steinlen and social change in early 1900s France
• In Fine Editions – Exhibition notes on Théophile Steinlen’s prints