NOTE ON ANTIQUE BACCARAT PAPERWEIGHTS: Most of these have been repolished. Precious few antique paperweights are in original condition and still collectible. [ I have a few in these pages.] Whenever I had a weight polished, I used one of the top professional glass restoration artists in the world. These are polished by a master craftsman to their original condition and are now pristine, as if they were made today.
PW1477. Baccarat Classical Period (1845-1860) Wheat Flower with bud. The wheat flower is an uncommon Baccarat flower (Dunlop book). They were made with yellow (63%) or white (37%) petals. The white ones like this came with either 12 or 14 petals, this one has 12. The center cane is intricate with a bright red glow that attracts the eye. Star cut base. Condition is excellent. It is 2 11/16 inches in diameter with a height of 1 13/16 inches, and weighs fifteen ounces. $1650
PW2358. Baccarat Classical Period Magnum Blue/White Dog Rose, circa 1850. Beautifully executed blue and white dog rose with stems and leaves. Although this flower is not one of Baccarat’s rarest designs, this paperweight is extremely rare due to its state of preservation – 100% original – it’s difficult to imagine how this is possible after 170 years and many wars. It has just light surface markings. 3 1/4 inches in diameter, 2 3/8 inches tall; one pound and thirteen ounces. $900
PW2629. Baccarat Classical Period Museum Piece. A beautiful double clematis with perfect stem, bud, and leaves over a crystal ground. The center of the flower is a complex cane comprising 22 stars. Excellent condition with no problems. 2 9/16 inch diameter; 1 13/16 inches tall; eleven ounces. $950
PW2423. Baccarat Classical Period (1845-1860) Blue Clematis (high domed). Beautifully created with shimmering, deep blue-shaded-to-light-blue, petals in the doubled flower. Condition … this is the extra special feature of this piece … it is in its original condition, meaning it has never been restored in any way, which is a very rare state of preservation here because it has only moderate superficial surface issues (see pictures) which do not detract from the beauty of the piece – condition-wise this must be in the top 2% of all unrestored antique weights. It is 2 7/8 inches in diameter with a height of 2 1/8 inches; weight is one pound and three ounces. $1000
PW1700. Antique Baccarat Strawberries, circa 1850. An excellent rare Baccarat strawberries weigh with two beautiful, delicious-looking berries. According to Paul Dunlop in his Baccarat book these are rare. “Star cut base. Condition is excellent. 2 3/4 inch diameter; 2 inches tall; one pound and one ounce. $2000
PW2569. Antique Baccarat Anemone, circa 1850. Perfect flower and leaves. Faceted with the normal six and one configuration. Star cut base. Condition is excellent with the only sign of wear on the base. 3 3/16 inch diameter; 2 1/16 inches tall; one pound and six ounces. $850
PW2630. Antique Baccarat Primrose with Millefiori Garland, circa 1850. You’d have a hard time finding a nicer one. Star cut base. Condition is perfect. The cane at the center of the flower is particularly amazing – three rings containing 36 gold stars surround a centered red and white star. 2 15/16 inch diameter; 1 3/4 inches tall; one pound and one ounce. $1400
PW1400. Baccarat Classical Period Museum Piece. Fabulous Light Blue Clematis Buds. This beauty has six large blue buds intertwined on lovely green stems. This is one of Baccarat’s well-known designs. They made them in pink, white, blue in two shades, and in a variety of combinations, some with five and some with six buds. The design does a wonderful job of filling the weight with color and form. From the condition one would think it was made yesterday rather than 150 years ago or more. It has been expertly polished to its original condition. It is a nice large and heavy weight, with a high dome and a star cut base. As one can see from the images, the design is domed in the glass and as a result, when viewed from directly above, the top bud disappears. 2 15/16 inches in diameter, 2 1/8 inches tall; one pound and four ounces. $650
PW1579. Baccarat Classical Period Museum Piece. One of the great double clematis with bud weights – remarkably well made – note the complex cane at the flower center. Star cut base. 2 3/4 inches in diameter, 1 7/8 inches tall; fifteen ounces. It is expertly restored to its original condition without alteration to the original form. $750
PW1475. Baccarat Classical Period Clematis Museum Piece. Fabulous Pink Clematis Buds. This beauty has six large red buds intertwined on lovely green stems. This is one of Baccarat’s well-known designs. They made them in pink, white, blue in two shades, and in a variety of combinations, some with five and some with six buds. The design does a wonderful job of filling the weight with color and form. From the condition one would think it was made yesterday rather than 150 years ago or more. Star cut base. It has been expertly polished to its original condition. It is a nice large and heavy weight; 3 1/16 inches in diameter, 2 1/16 inches tall; one pound and five ounces. This is probably the best of these I have ever seen. The florals fit the glass perfectly. I have a few clematis I my garden and this design truly captures the way they grow. Beautiful. $1200 SOLD
Provenance: Freeman’s auction, Philadelphia – Dec. 6, 2010.
PW1471. Baccarat Classical Period Museum Piece. Fabulous Pink Clematis Buds. This beauty has six large red buds intertwined on lovely green stems. This is one of Baccarat’s well-known designs. They made them in pink, white, blue in two shades, and in a variety of combinations, some with five and some with six buds. The design does a wonderful job of filling the weight with color and form. From the condition one would think it was made yesterday rather than 150 years ago or more. Star cut base. It has been expertly polished to its original condition. It is a nice large and heavy weight, with a high dome, at 3 3/16 inches in diameter, 2 3/8 inches tall; one pound and ten ounces. I have a few clematis I my garden and this design truly captures the way they grow. Beautiful. Provenance: Freeman’s auction, Philadelphia – Dec. 6, 2010. $850