Paperweight c. 1845 - 1855

This "Paperweight" is a swirling glass sphere with a white and green spiral design and a small white flower in the center with a red core. Made by Clichy Glasshouse around the mid-19th century, it exemplifies the popular "Millefiori" glassmaking technique using rods of colored glass, melted and then cut into cross sections to reveal a flower-like pattern. This type of paperweight was a popular decorative item in the 19th century, and is now a collectible piece of glass art.