Paperweight
19th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H.: 7.7 cm (3 in.)
Classification
paperweight
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
94445
Art Historical Context
This elegant glass paperweight from the Clichy Glass exemplifies the pinnacle of 19th-century French glassmaking artistry. Produced during the height of the Industrial Revolution, when desk accessories surged in popularity following the advent of the postage stamp in 1840, Clichy—based near Paris—was renowned for its innovative paperweights. Standing at just 7.7 cm (3 in.) tall, this compact object from the Art Institute of Chicago's Applied Arts Europe department transforms a utilitarian item into a dazzling display of craftsmanship. Crafted in glass, the medium allowed Clichy artisans to em...
About the Artist
Clichy Glasshouse · 1837–1885
The Verrerie de Clichy, also known as the Clichy Glasshouse or Cristalleries de Clichy, was established in 1837 through the merger of local glassworks at Billancourt near Paris, under the direction of Rouyer and Maes. The firm relocated to Clichy-la-Garenne in 1839, where it initially produced utilitarian items like bottles and tableware before pivoting to luxury glass objects amid France's burgeo...