Art Institute of Chicago

Paperweight

France or Czech Republic

Date

c. 1870

Medium

Glass

Culture

France

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Glass paperweights became popular in the mid-19th century when the establishment of a dependable mail service led to an increase in letter writing and a demand for writing products. Lily of the Valley is one of over 1,400 paperweights in the Art Institute's famous Arthur Rubloff Collection, which documents all periods, designs, and techniques. In this delightful example, glass flowers have been centered under the magnifying dome of lead glass not only to reveal the technical skill with which they were made but also to achieve an illusion of depth.

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