Paperweight c. 1850 - 1900

This small, hand-blown glass paperweight, created by the Cristalleries du Val-Saint-Lambert, features a delicate floral design in a vibrant palette of blues, greens, oranges, and purples. The intricate details of the flower and its stem, rendered in the pâte-de-verre technique, demonstrate the artistry of the glassmakers in late 19th-century Belgium. This intricate piece exemplifies the decorative techniques employed in the Art Nouveau movement, a period characterized by its naturalistic motifs. The paperweight, now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, embodies the exquisite craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the era.