Paperweight
c. 1846–55
Medium
Glass, sulphide
Dimensions
Diam.: 8.4 cm (3 5/16 in.)
Classification
glass
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
58918
Art Historical Context
Created by the renowned Baccarat Glassworks in France around 1846–55, this elegant paperweight exemplifies the golden age French glass artistry. Measuring just over three inches in diameter, the compact object combines functional design with remarkable technical skill. The “sulphide” technique encases a white ceramic medallion—often bearing a portrait or motif—within layers of clear crystal glass, producing a luminous, cameo-like effect that seems to float inside the sphere. During the mid-nineteenth century, paperweights emerged as fashionable desk accessories among Europe’s growing middle a...
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...