The paperweights on this page are all various Bohemian factories.  These factories were made in the glass making regions that are today in the border area between the Czech Republic and Poland.  There is documentation to suggest that some of these factories engaged in the manufacture of millefiori as early as 1833.  In the past, paperweight collectors identified paperweights from this region as simply Bohemian.  More correctly, the glassworks were located in Prussia, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic.   Paperweights of this type are becoming more in demand as collectors find out more about the various German and Bohemian factories.

For more information, you can read about paperweights from Germany and Bohemia in the book by von Brackel Paperweights: Historicism - Art Nouveau - Art Deco - 1842 to today and in the book by Marek Kordasiewicz Glass Paperweights: The Heritage of the 19th Century Riesengebirge and Isergebirge Glassworks.For some great references on paperweights, check out my list of paperweight books for sale.

If you would like to purchase any of these paperweights, e-mail me at: aport@paperweights.com
 

5684	Antique Magnum Belgian or Bohemian Frit Butterfly Paperweight.   circa 1880-1910.  This is a wonderful antique frit butterfly paperweight.  The large blue butterfly with colorful spots floats above a multicolored frit ground.  The maker of this paperweight is unknown.  It was likely made in an unidentified glass factory in Belgium, Bohemia or Northern Europe. Note:   At first I thought this is a lampwork butterfly but it is almost completely flat and sits on a layer of "dirty" glass.  What looks like surface damage in the profile view is actually dirt on the surface of the inner layer of glass that the butterfly is resting on - the clear layer used to pick up the butterfly. Frit refers to the powdered glass used to make the design.  The design is set up in frit in a metal die and then picked up with a gather of clear color.  The butterfly is almost completely flat with only the larger pieces of colored glass projecting below the plane of the butterfly. Bohemian Glass generally refers to the glass made in the regions that form the border area between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.  Most of these areas are now parts of the western Czech Republic.    Very large size:  3 7/16" diameter by 2 5/16" high.  The base is ground flat. Condition: Very good condition for its age.  The paperweight has a few faint scratches on the dome.  It has a lot of age on the base. It also has some small chips on the edge of the base.  What looks like surface damage in the profile view is actually dirt on the surface of the inner layer of glass that the butterfly is resting on. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is an antique paperweight from Bohemia or Belgium or Northern Europe. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture Side view - note how flat the butterfly is Closeup Top view Profile - note dirt on inner layer - the clear layer used to pick up the butterfly Base - chips at edge of base Another view of base $195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2038	Large Antique Czech / Bohemian Faceted Masaryk Picture Paperweight.   c.1900-1937.  Large faceted paperweight with a picture to Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.  The picture is placed on a sulphide frame that rests on a multi-colored cushion of glass bits.  The frame has ornamental features on each side of the picture.  The name "T. G. Masaryk" is at the base under the picture, although the initials are obscured by a bubble at the base of the frame.  The paperweight has one large window facet and a fancy four part facet at the top.  The paperweight was made in Northern Bohemia during the period 1900 to 1930.  The glass is heavy crystal and weighs just over 26 ounces.  An important paperweight of historical significance.  Masaryk was the president of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935.  He died in 1937 at the age of 87.  The picture was taken earlier in his life.  Most likely this paperweight was produced during his presidency or possibly at the time of his death.  It is also possible that it was produced earlier in his life when he was a political activist advocating for the creation of an independent Czechoslovakia.  Von Brackel discusses this style of paperweight in his book Paperweights - Historicism - Art Nouveau - Art Deco .  He shows several examples on pages 102 to 195 with a range of values up to $480.  Unfortunately, the picture in this paperweight is flawed by a defect and bubble covering part of the face.  The price has been reduced to reflect this flaw.  Large Size: Just over 3" diameter by 3 3/4" high.  The bottom is ground flat.  Condition:  Good to very good condition for its age.  There are scratches and some nicks on the large window facet, considerable wear on the base, and some nicks where the base meets the sides.  The paperweight displays very well.  The picture of Masaryk is marred by a defect and bubble in one corner of his face. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a vintage paperweight from the Bohemia / Czech region and it originates from approximately 1900-1937.  For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture of the paperweight Closeup view Profile view Back view Side view View of Bottom Some of the scratches and nicks on the face SOLD.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
5087	Vintage Thuringia Lauscha Bohemia Paperweight with  Name Plaque "Karl Laur".  Circa 1920-1939.  Colorful vintage paperweight with a central name plaque over a two layer frit ground.  There are four icepick flowers each with a bubble in the center.  The name on the plaque is Karl Laur.  An interesting example of a name weight that is popular with many some collectors. The maker of this paperweight is unknown, except that it is believed to originate either in Thuringia (now part of Germany) or in the region along the Czech - German border, hence the label Bohemian.  Similar paperweights have are on display in the museum in Lauscha and are identified as being from Thuringia.    Some examples can be found in the book by von Brackel, Paperweights: Historicism - Art Nouveau - Art Deco - 1842 to Today   See pages 220-221 in particular figure 510.  Both paperweights in this figure may have been decorated by the same hand as this paperweight. Size:  2 1/3" diameter by 1 11/16" high. The base is ground flat.  There is a small circular remainder of the pontil mark in the center. Condition: Excellent condition for its age.  There are a few faint scratches on the surface as shown in the pictures and appropriate wear on the base. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is paperweight is from the regions described (Bohemia or Silesia or Thuringia) and was most likely made pre-WWII. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture Close-up View Bottom view Profile view Side view $75 postage paid in the US.   Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
1090	Czech / Bohemian Morning Glories Trumpet Flower Paperweight.   c.1900-1930.  Trumpet flower paperweight with five blossoms.  There is one large center flower and four smaller ones under it.  There is a planned bubble in the center of each flower.  The flowers are pushed down to a green frit flower pot shaped ground.  The glass is heavy crystal. This style is also called an icepick flower because of the sharp tool used to push each flower down to the base.  In this case the tool is pushed through a multi-colored glass slice.  Some authors call these morning glory flowers.  Von Brackel discusses this style in his book   He lists many variations on pages 106 to 149 with a wide range of values up to $300 and more.  On pages 278 & 279 he describes the process used to make a trumpet flower paperweight.   Size:  2 3/4" diameter by 3 5/16" high.  The bottom is ground flat. Condition:  Very good condition.  There are minor scratches on the dome and base plus some debris and bubbles in the glass.  No significant chips or cracks. Signature:  Unsigned, by I guarantee that this is a vintage paperweight from the Bohemia / Czech region and it originates from approximately 1900-1930.  For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight Closeup Another view Base And one more view SOLD.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
1929	Colorful Miniature Antique Bohemian Concentric Millefiori Paperweight.  circa 1880-1920.  Colorful small antique Bohemian millefiori paperweight with a concentric design of two rings of complex multi-colored millefiori around a central blue and white complex millefiori cane.  The outer ring alternates between several different complex canes, primarily green and white with some red and blue mixed in.  The inner ring consists of identical canes made up of red and white elements with a touch of other colors.  Wonderful complex canes and a nice balance of colors. Note:  Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the light. There is a debate as to where this paperweight was made.  Some paperweight experts, including myself, believe that this paperweight was made by an unknown European maker, probably in the region along the Czech - German border, hence the label Bohemian.  Others believe that the paperweight is of Chinese origin because the cane structure shares some similarities to known early 1930’s Chinese millefiori.  The glass is good quality crystal and and the bottom finish is consistent other Bohemian paperweights. Very Small Size:  Just over 1 7/8" diameter by just over 7/8"  high.  The bottom is ground flat.  Signature:  This paperweight is unsigned.  See paragraph above for a discussion of the origin. Condition:  Very good condition with no cracks or chips.  Very minor surface and bottom wear consistent with its age. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture Closeup Profile Side view Base SOLD.   Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2254	Antique Thuringia Lauscha Bohemia Millefiori Paperweight with  Name Plaque "Hauptm. Karl".  Circa 1870 - 1940.  Colorful antique paperweight with colorful millefiori canes arranged around a central name plaque.  The name "Hauptm. Karl" is probably an abbreviation of "Hauptmann Karl", meaning Captain Karl or leader Karl.  The complex millefiori canes repeat in alternating patterns to make up the design with 26 canes in all.  The pattern is arranged over a multicolored frit ground.  There are some wonderful complex canes in this paperweight.  An interesting example of a type of weight that is becoming more in demand as collectors learn more about the various Bohemian factories and eastern Germany factories.  This is a relatively rare item. The maker of this paperweight is unknown, except that it is believed to originate in the region along the Czech - German border, hence the label Bohemian.  Similar paperweights have are on display in the museum in Lauscha and are identified as being from Lauscha in Thuringia.   The area was part of Bohemia prior to WWI.   Similar examples can be found in the book by von Brackel, Paperweights: Historicism - Art Nouveau - Art Deco - 1842 to Today   See pages 90-95 and figure 507 on page 221.  Large Size:  2 3/4" diameter by 1 11/16" high. The base is ground flat with a matte finish.  There is a depression remaining from the pontil mark in the center. Condition: Very good condition for its age.  There are some scratches on the surface and one noticeable 1/16" nick on the side (shown in one of the pictures).    Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is paperweight is from the regions described (Bohemia or Silesia or Thuringia) and was most likely made pre-WWII. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture Close-up View Bottom view Profile view Another view showing damage on side $195 postage paid in the US.                           Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2044	Antique Thuringia or Silesia Bohemia Miniature Concentric Millefiori Paperweight.  Circa 1870 - 1940.  Colorful antique concentric paperweight with millefiori canes arranged in two rings of alternating canes around a center cane.  The design is placed over a multi-colored frit ground.  This paperweight is in unusually good condition but does have a 1/8" chip on the top and tiny chips around the base.  It has many small bubbles as shown in the pictures.  An interesting example of a type of weight that is becoming more in demand as collectors learn more about the various Bohemian factories and eastern Germany factories.  The glass has a gray tint.  A nice example with great color. The maker of this paperweight is unknown, except that it is believed to originate in the region along the Czech - German border, hence the label Bohemian.  Similar paperweights have are on display in the museum in Lauscha and are identified as being from Lauscha in Thuringia.  The area was part of Bohemia prior to WWI.  Similar examples can be found in the book by Peter von Brackel, Paperweights: Historicism - Art Nouveau - Art Deco - 1842 to Today (see examples on page 94-95).     Miniature Size:  Just over 1 7/8" diameter by just over 1 5/8" high.  The top has a flattened profile.  The base is ground flat.  The glass is grayish.  Condition:  Very good condition for its age, but it does have a shallow 1/8" chip on the top and tiny chips around the base.  There are many small bubbles in the glass. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is paperweight is from the regions described (Bohemia or Silesia or Thuringia) and was most likely made pre-WWI. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture Closeup Base Profile Side view Shallow chip on top SOLD.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2528	Antique Belgian or Bohemian Doorknob with Miniature Concentric Millefiori Paperweight Handle.   circa 1880-1910.  This is a wonderful antique doorknob with a concentric millefiori paperweight handle.  The handle has bright colors on a clear ground.  It has two concentric circles of canes around a complex center cane.  The outer ring alternates between larger complex blue and white canes and simpler red and white canes.  One red cane is missing.  The inner ring consists of six large identical white, pink, and yellow complex canes.  There is a complex green, pink, and yellow center cane.  The maker of this paperweight is unknown.  It has similarities to a group of paperweights believed to have originated at an unidentified glass factory in Belgium, Northern Europe, or even Bohemia.  The hardware portion is in good condition with a fixed spindle.  The design is well centered and a wonder to study.  This paperweight has a strong similarity to a group of paperweights and doorknobs that are believed to have originated at an unidentified glass factory in Belgium or Northern Europe.  Bohemian Glass generally refers to the glass made in the regions that form the border area between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.  Most of these areas are now parts of the western Czech Republic.    Size:  The knob is 1 13/16" diameter by 2 3/16" long including the brass hardware, but not the spindle.  With the spindle, it is 4 13/16" long.    Condition: Very good condition for its age.  The paperweight knob has a few scratches, but no cracks or chips. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is an antique paperweight doorknob from Bohemia or Belgium or Northern Europe.   For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture End View Closeup $235 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
1390	Antique Bohemian Enameled Paperweight "Bund der Deutschen in Böhmen 1894".   circa 1900.  This unusual paperweight is made of clear glass enameled on top with a shield displaying German colors, oak leaves, and a banner "Bund der Deutschen in Böhmen 1894" (League of Germans in Bohemia 1894).  There is also a worn gold edge decoration visible in the larger picture.  The members of the league were people of German heritage living in Western Bohemia.  An organization of the same name exists today.  There may be more than one such organization as I found images with an 1894 date and others with an 1896 date.  I believe the paperweight was decorated locally in Western Bohemia using glass produced nearby.  The maker of this paperweight is unknown, except that it is believed to originate in the region along the Czech - German border, hence the label Bohemian.      Size:  2 9/16" diameter by 1 3/16" high. The base is ground flat but not entirely smooth.  The glass is clear.  Condition:  Very good condition for its age, but it does have some nicks and scratches. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is paperweight is from Bohemia or Germany and that it is old.   For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture Base Profile Side view $125 postage paid in the US.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
3668	Antique Bohemian Concentric Millefiori Paperweight with Complex Canes.   circa 1850-1900.  This is an antique Bohemian millefiori paperweight with some interesting complex millefiori canes.  The paperweight has three concentric circles of canes around a complex center star cane.  The design consists almost entirely of complex canes, with the exception of the red and white canes in the second ring.  In all a complex design built from a variety of canes with many star canes.  The design is well executed and it is in perfect condition.  The glass is slightly grey.  This paperweight has been professionally restored.        Bohemian Glass generally refers to the glass made in the regions that form the border area between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.  Most of these areas are now parts of the western Czech Republic.    Size:  Just over 2 1/4" diameter by 1 5/16" high.  The base is ground concave. Condition:  Excellent condition.  This paperweight has been professionally restored.        Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is an antique paperweight from Bohemia.  The specific factory has not been identified.   For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links:  Large picture Profile Side view Closeup Base  $295 postage paid in the US.   Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2270	German or Bohemian Souvenir Paperweight with Ruby Stain Engraved Scene of Münster in Freiburg.   circa 1840-1910.  This is a large footed paperweight with an engraved image of the cathedral of Freiburg im Breisgau in southwest Germany.  There are initials after the title which I assume are those of the engraver. The engraving is done from the bottom which has a ruby stain.  The paperweight has a footed or pedestal base.    The techniques used in this type of paperweight are attributed to the pioneering work with colored stains (sometimes incorrectly called flash overlays) by Friedrich Egermann (1774-1864) in North Bohemia.  Egermann discovered methods of applying metallic salts to glass to produce a colored stain.  Silver salts would produce a yellow stain, copper salts would produce a ruby stain, etc.  The application of this colored layer enabled many Bohemian (and also European) glass factories to engrave a variety of images as souvenirs of the prominent buildings and spas throughout Europe.  The style became known as spa paperweights.  Although the technique was enabled by Egermann's discoveries, it is not possible to attribute this paperweight to a specific factory, engraver, or country.  There is an excellent article this subject with many examples in the 2016 Annual Bulletin of the Paperweight Collectors Association "19th Century Engraved Bohemian Paperweights: Spas and Other Local Views" by Jim and Nancy Barton.  Bohemian Glass generally refers to the glass made in the regions that form the border area between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.  Most of these areas are now parts of the western Czech Republic.     Size:  3 7/8" diameter by approximately 1 3/8" high. The foot has a diameter of 3 1/2".     Condition: Very good condition for its age.  It has considerable wear on the base and some scratches.  There is some stray red color inside the glass. Signature:  Unsigned, but I guarantee this is an antique paperweight from Bohemia or Germany.   For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture Side view Base Closeup Profile Another closeup $135 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
5310	Czech / Bohemian Red White and Blue Morning Glories Trumpet Flowers Paperweight with Faceting.   circa 1880-1925.  Red white and blue trumpet flowers paperweight with five blossoms.  There is one large center flower and four smaller ones under it.  There is a planned bubble in the center of each flower.  The flowers are pushed down to a green frit flower pot shaped ground.  There are 21 finger facets around the edge of the base.  The glass is heavy and slightly yellow. This style is also called an icepick flower because of the sharp tool used to push each flower down to the base.  In this case the tool is pushed through a multi-colored glass slice.  Some authors call these morning glory flowers.  Von Brackel discusses this style in his book   He lists many variations on pages 106 to 149 with a wide range of values up to $300 and more.  On pages 278 & 279 he describes the process used to make a trumpet flower paperweight.   Size:  2 15/16" diameter by 2 13/16" high.  The bottom is ground flat.  There are 21 finger facets around the edge of the base.  Condition:  Very good condition.  There are several minor surface flaws and abrasions, the worst of which is shown in the pictures and also considerable age appropriate wear on the base.  No significant chips or cracks. Signature:  Unsigned, by I guarantee that this is a vintage paperweight from the Bohemia / Czech region and it originates from approximately 1880-1925.  For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture Top view Side view Base And another view of the base Worst of the surface flaws SOLD.  Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image

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