Paperweight c. 1847

This "Paperweight" was created around 1847 by the Saint Louis Glass Works. It is a classic example of the mid-19th century glassmaking technique known as "Millefiori" (meaning "thousand flowers" in Italian). The intricate design is achieved by combining rods of different colored glass, fusing them together, and then slicing them to create cross-sections that resemble flower patterns. This small, colorful glass sphere would have been a popular decorative item for middle-class homes in the mid-19th century, serving both a practical and aesthetic purpose.