Paperweight c. 1846s

This "Paperweight" is a glass paperweight created by Compagnie de Saint Louis, dating back to the 1840s. The piece features a cameo, a technique of carving a design in layers of material, of a man's head, set against a dark green background. The use of cameo and the small, handheld size are characteristic of this type of glass paperweight, commonly used for both decorative and practical purposes during the 19th century. The piece is currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, a renowned museum known for its diverse collection, which includes this small, yet significant, work of decorative art.