Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This "Paperweight" from the mid-19th century is an example of millefiori glass, a technique that originated in the 18th century. The technique uses rods of colored glass, which are arranged in patterns and then fused together. These rods are then sliced into cross-sections, revealing the intricate patterns within. In this example, the cross-section is a pink background dotted with green and multi-colored flowers. It is an example of glassmaking from the Clichy Glasshouse, a renowned glassworks that flourished in the 19th century. The paperweight is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.