Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This "Paperweight" from the Baccarat Glassworks, a renowned French crystal manufacturer, dates back to the mid-19th century. The glass sphere features a meticulously crafted red eel, seemingly suspended in a swirling vortex of mottled white and green glass. The intricate detail and three-dimensional effect of the glasswork create a mesmerizing illusion, showcasing the technical mastery of the Baccarat Glassworks. This small, but captivating, paperweight is an exquisite example of 19th-century French glassmaking and is now part of the esteemed collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.