Paperweight 1848

"Paperweight," created in 1848 by Compagnie de Saint Louis, showcases the intricate beauty of millefiori glass, a technique using rods of colored glass fused together to create intricate patterns. This specific paperweight, currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago, features a central rosette with radiating white, blue, and green swirls, surrounded by a layer of crimson latticework. The intricate detail and vibrant colors of this small, 7.9 cm diameter object are testament to the skill and artistry of the French glassmakers.