Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight was created by Baccarat Glassworks, and while we don't have an exact date, the company was founded in 1764 and remains in operation to this day. This particular example is made of clear glass, encasing a coiled glass snake surrounded by tiny bits of aggregate. The process used here involves lampworking – shaping the snake with a torch – and then assembling the entire composition in a mold. Molten glass is poured in to fill the void, encasing the snake and aggregate. The clear glass acts as a lens, magnifying the internal elements and creating an illusion of depth. Note the way the green snake seems to float weightlessly, a testament to the glassmaker's skill. The creation of such an object is not necessarily 'high art,' yet it demands tremendous technical skill and exacting labor. It invites us to consider the value we place on functional, decorative objects, and the skilled work required to make them.