Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This small, round paperweight, titled "Paperweight" was created by Clichy Glasshouse, a French glassmaking studio known for its intricate paperweights and millefiori glass. Made sometime between 1845 and 1860, the work showcases the unique beauty of millefiori glass - "a thousand flowers" - made by assembling colorful rods of glass, fusing them, and then cutting them into cross-sections to reveal a multitude of flower-like patterns. The paperweight's bright blue background highlights the white, pink, and green patterns within, and its small size, just 6.7 cm in diameter, underscores its delicate beauty and craftsmanship. This paperweight, now part of The Art Institute of Chicago's collection, represents a significant example of Clichy Glasshouse's artistic endeavors.