Paperweight c. 19th century

This 19th-century paperweight, created by Compagnie de Saint Louis, is a beautiful example of the "verre-pâte" technique. The translucent glass sphere features a delicate depiction of leaves and berries, meticulously crafted using layers of colored glass. This intricate glasswork, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases the exquisite skill and artistry of the French glassmakers during this period. "Verre-pâte", also known as "pate de verre", is a technique of layering colored glass paste to create intricate designs within a clear glass sphere.