Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This "Paperweight" is a mid-19th-century example of a millefiori glass paperweight, crafted by the Clichy Glasshouse, a renowned French glassworks. The intricate design, a hallmark of millefiori glassmaking, features a mosaic of colorful glass rods, creating a mesmerizing pattern of tiny flowers and geometric forms within a clear glass sphere. The paperweight, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, stands as a testament to the artistry and technical skill of the Clichy Glasshouse.