Paperweight c. mid 19th century

This 19th-century glass paperweight, created by the renowned Baccarat Glassworks, is a fine example of millefiori glass. The intricate pattern of colorful flowers encircling a delicate cameo profile is characteristic of this technique, which involves fusing together rods of colored glass before slicing them to reveal the intricate design. This paperweight, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty of 19th-century glassmaking.