Paperweight
c. 1846–55
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Diam.: 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.)
Classification
paperweight
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
54967
Art Historical Context
This exquisite glass paperweight from Baccarat Glassworks, dating to around 1846–55, exemplifies the pinnacle of-19th-century French arts. Crafted during the early years of Baccarat's renowned production of luxury crystal, it measures just 8.6 cm in diameter, making it a delightful, functional desk accessory designed to hold down papers against drafts. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department Applied Arts of Europe, highlights the fusion of utility and artistry that defined the era. Baccarat, founded in 1764 in Lorraine, France, rose to fame under royal patronage and became synonym...
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...