Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

This paperweight was made by Baccarat Glassworks with glass. It encapsulates a delicate floral arrangement, seemingly suspended in time and space. The process begins with creating individual glass components: the central purple flower, leaves, stem, and the surrounding garland of millefiori—each a tiny patterned mosaic. These elements are constructed using lampworking, where glass rods are heated and shaped with tools. The real trick comes in assembling these elements together, and encasing them in molten crystal. This requires careful temperature control and precise timing, to prevent distortion. Once cooled, the piece would have been polished to a gem-like finish. Paperweights like this were luxury items, speaking to the industrial prowess and artistry of glassmaking in the 19th century. But it also elevated craft to an art form, and made these skills highly sought after.