Paperweight
c. 1845–60
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Diam.: 7.6 cm (3 in.)
Classification
paperweight
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
187859
Art Historical Context
This exquisite glass paperweight from Baccarat Glassworks, to around 1845–60, exemplifies the pinnacle of19th-century French luxury. Measuring just 3 inches in diameter, this compact gem belongs to the Applied Arts of collection at the Art Institute of. Baccarat, founded in 1764 in Lorraine, France, rose to international fame during the mid-1800s for its unparalleled crystal production, blending industrial precision with artistic virtuosity. Paperweights like this one emerged in the 1840s as practical yet decorative desk accessories, protecting documents from drafts while showcasing the glass...
About the Artist
Baccarat Glassworks
Baccarat Glassworks, founded in 1764 in the Lorraine village of Baccarat, France, emerged from a royal decree by King Louis XV granting Bishop Monseigneur de Montmorency-Laval permission to establish a glass factory. Leveraging abundant local driftwood from the Vosges forest and skilled craftsmen, the works initially produced soda glass for windows, mirrors, and everyday stemware, employing thousa...