Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This "Paperweight" created by the Compagnie de Saint Louis in the mid-19th century is a stunning example of French glassmaking. The intricate design features a clear glass sphere with a floral motif in the center surrounded by six circular openings revealing a blue and gold patterned background. This piece, found in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the beauty and skill of 19th-century glass artistry and is an example of "verre a pate de verre" or "glass paste" technique, where layers of colored glass are fused together to create intricate designs.