Paperweight
c. 1848–55
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Diam.: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
Classification
paperweight
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
58933
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Applied Arts of Europe department at the Art Institute of Chicago this charming *Paperweight* from Baccarat Glassworks (c. 1848–55) the elegance of mid-19th-century craftsmanship. Measuring just 7 cm in diameter its compact glass form was designed as both a functional desk accessory and a showcase of luxury, reflecting the era's fascination with refined household objects. Baccarat, founded in 1764 in Lorraine, France, rose to prominence as a premier crystal manufacturer, earning imperial commissions and international acclaim. The 1840s–1850s marked the golden age of French pape...
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...