Paperweight c. 1846s

This "Paperweight" is a glass object made in the 1840s by Clichy Glasshouse. It is an example of a paperweight, a popular decorative object in the 19th century. The paperweight is a hexagonal shape, and features a cameo of the Virgin Mary surrounded by a blue background and a border of white and pink flowers. The inscription "Ste Eugenie" suggests a possible dedication to a person or perhaps a patron saint. It is a fine example of 19th-century glasswork and is currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.