Paperweight c. 1846s

This "Paperweight" was created by the Compagnie de Saint Louis in the 1840s and is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. This small glass paperweight showcases the artistry of the "Millefiori" technique, which translates to "thousand flowers" in Italian. This intricate technique involves fusing together rods of colored glass and then slicing them to reveal complex floral patterns, as seen in this piece. The captivating interplay of reds, whites, and various other colors creates a mesmerizing visual effect, making this paperweight a testament to the delicate artistry of glassmaking.