Chinese Paperweights For Sale

Allan's Paperweights

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Chinese Paperweights for Sale

This group of paperweights is a representative sample of the 1930s Chinese Paperweights made in an attempt to duplicate 19th Century antique weights made in the United States and France and the US. Because they are almost 70 years old, they are very collectible. Every collector should own a few of these as study pieces. I have also included some other Chinese paperweights that are newer or uniquely Chinese.

Most have a light weight glass mixture that is high in soda and has a greenish tinge. The glass also has a soft almost oily feel. Frequently they have bubbles or debris in the glass. And because of their age, many of these have minor scratches or other surface defects.

For more information on Chinese paperweights, there is a great chapter on Chinese paperweights in the book World Paperweights: Millefiori and Lampwork by Robert Hall. The book includes a price guide. For this and other great references on paperweights, check out my list of paperweight books for sale.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these paperweights, e-mail Allan Port at:aport@paperweights.com

599 Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground.   A nice very large example, full of canes and with great color.
Size: 3 1/3" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

557 Chinese Red Poinsettia Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Boston and Sandwich Glass Company (Sandwich, Massachusetts) Red Poinsettia made in 1869. Millefiori center. Clear ground.
Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1384 Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground.   A nice very large example, full of canes and with great color.
Size: 3" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. Very good condition with no chips or cracks.
$85 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

2454 Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground.   A nice example although there is quite a bit of dirt in the glass.
Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 1/3" high. Not signed. One small chip on the side plus some pitting in the glass.
$35 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1247 Rare Chinese Millefiori Nosegay Paperweight. c.1930. This is a Chinese copy of a New England Glass Company Posy paperweight made c1860. It has the fancy NEGC quatrefoil faceting and setup. Millefiori nosegay of red, blue, and yellow millefiori canes with four green leaves and a stem. All this surrounded by two garlands of complex millefiori, one made up pink and blue flowers, the other made pink and white flowers with green centers. This great setup is on top of a latticinio swirl ground.
Size: 3" diameter by 2 1/8" high. The bottom is ground concave (rare in Chinese weights). Unsigned. Excellent condition. This is an unusually large example in exceptional condition Listed in Hall's book with a price guide of $450-500.
Reduced ~~$285~~ $195 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1309 Rare Chinese Enameled Clipper Ship Plaque Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is a uniquely Chinese invention. This paperweight is shown in Hollister's Encyclopedia of Glass Paperweights (Figure 2.36). It is an enamel painting of a ship on a white enamel plaque. Rare and desirable example.
Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Good condition with one small chip, one small impact mark, and other scratches and wear consistent with the age of this paperweight.. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1790 Chinese Millefiori Paperweight Ashtray. c.1930. This paperweight ashtray has a millefiori base and three ground cigarette notches. It is full of colorful complex millefiori canes in a concentric design. This particular style resembles the typical St. Louis concentric design from 1845-1860.
It is not unusual for paperweight makers to adapt their art to other shapes. American paperweight makers in the 40s and 50s also made ashtrays. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and may have been sold at the 1939 World's Fair.
Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 1 1/3" high.
Excellent condition: No problems at all. Chinese origin. c.1930. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1004 Chinese Scramble Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French scramble (probably Clichy or St. Louis) made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This style is made with a higher profile than the patterned millefiori weights.
Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 2 3/8" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. The bottom has been ground flat. Great condition with some minor scratches and pinpricks. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

880 Chinese Fantasy Flower Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French Baccarat 12 petal fantasy flower paperweight made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Swirling latticinio ground with a millefiori center.
Size: 3 1/3" diameter by 1 7/8" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground flat. Very good condition. This weight has one serious flaw in that the bud is slightly misplaced and is not at the end of the bud stem where it should be. The surface has a rough texture common to weights of this type.   Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1095 Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy or Baccarat paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This type is not as common as the other patterned millefiori weights, nor is it as intricate. The millefiori canes are simple canes. Perhaps it was made later or perhaps by a different factory.
Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Unsigned. Bottom is ground flat. Good condition with several nicks on the side. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

877 Chinese Fantasy Flower Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French Baccarat 12 petal fantasy flower paperweight made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground with a millefiori center.
Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition.   An outstanding example. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

672 Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground.
Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Good condition although it does have some scratches and a few nicks on the top.
$30 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

869 Chinese Scramble Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French scramble (probably Clichy or St. Louis) made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This style is made with a higher profile than the patterned millefiori weights. This weight is unusual because of its pinkish color
Size: 2 7/8" diameter by 2 1/8" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground concave. Excellent condition with a few minor scratches. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

942 Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940. Although you can see the origins in the millefiori copies above, the functional shape is a uniquely Chinese invention. The shape is flower with applied petals around the outside. This has been described as a brushholder or chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair.
Size: 2" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition.
Reduced ~~$55~~   $45 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1191 Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is another uniquely Chinese invention. This has also been described as a brushholder or chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair.
Size: 2 5/8" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition.Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1503 Rare Chinese Enameled Clipper Ship Plaque Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is a uniquely Chinese invention. This paperweight is shown in Hollister's Encyclopedia of Glass Paperweights (Figure 2.36). It is an enamel painting of a ship on a white enamel plaque. Rare and desirable example.
Size: 2 1/3" diameter by 1 1/3" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition with only minor scratches.       SOLD
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

307 Chinese Single Marble Paperweight. c.1930. Another uniquely Chinese invention. Delicate red flower with millefiori center on top of a latticwork flowerpot. Encased in a rectangular glass block with beveled edges.
Size: 1 1/4" by 1 1/4" by 1 1/2" high. Unsigned. Poor condition with quite a number of chips on the corners and edges plus a dimple on top. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1441 Chinese Millefiori Perfume Bottle or Inkwell. c.1930. Matching concentric millefiori pattern in the base and the stopper. The base is footed. A very desirable Chinese paperweight collectible.
Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 5" high. Excellent condition with only minor wear consistent with age. Tiny crack on base where pontil was removed. Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

1265 Chinese Patterned Millefiori Paperweight. c.1970. This is a modern Chinese copy of a French paperweight (probably Clichy or St. Louis). It has a clear ground. I included this as a modern example to contrast to the 1930s examples above.
Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 2 1/4" high Partial paper label "Made in China." The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition with some minor surface scratches.   Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

931 Chinese Pedestal Flower with Bird Paperweight. Unknown Age. This is a good example of a Chinese adaptation of features of older American weights. The pedestal form is generally associated with Millville crimp roses. The bird in this setting is uniquely Chinese. Many collectors believe this is a recent example because the variety was unknown until a few years ago and the thin leaves are more typical of post 1970 Chinese flowers.
Size: 2 2/3" diameter by 3 1/4" high Unsigned. Excellent condition.   Sold
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

670 Chinese Millefiori Candlestick. c.1930. Concentric millefiori pattern in the base. This was originally the base from a inkwell or perfume and was refinished to make a candlestick.
Size: 3" diameter by 3 1/16" high. Excellent condition with only minor wear consistent with age.
Reduced ~~$75~~ $40 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

599	Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. A nice very large example, full of canes and with great color. Size: 3 1/3" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
557	Chinese Red Poinsettia Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Boston and Sandwich Glass Company (Sandwich, Massachusetts) Red Poinsettia made in 1869. Millefiori center. Clear ground. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1384	Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. A nice very large example, full of canes and with great color. Size: 3" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. $85 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
2454	Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. A nice example although there is quite a bit of dirt in the glass. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 1/3" high. Not signed. One small chip on the side plus some pitting in the glass. $35 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1247	Rare Chinese Millefiori Nosegay Paperweight. c.1930. This is a Chinese copy of a New England Glass Company Posy paperweight made c1860. It has the fancy NEGC quatrefoil faceting and setup. Millefiori nosegay of red, blue, and yellow millefiori canes with four green leaves and a stem. All this surrounded by two garlands of complex millefiori, one made up pink and blue flowers, the other made pink and white flowers with green centers. This great setup is on top of a latticinio swirl ground. Size: 3" diameter by 2 1/8" high. The bottom is ground concave (rare in Chinese weights). Unsigned. Excellent condition. This is an unusually large example in exceptional condition Listed in Hall's book with a price guide of $450-500. Reduced ~~$285~~ $195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1309	Rare Chinese Enameled Clipper Ship Plaque Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is a uniquely Chinese invention. This paperweight is shown in Hollister's Encyclopedia of Glass Paperweights (Figure 2.36). It is an enamel painting of a ship on a white enamel plaque. Rare and desirable example. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Good condition with one small chip, one small impact mark, and other scratches and wear consistent with the age of this paperweight.. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1790	Chinese Millefiori Paperweight Ashtray. c.1930. This paperweight ashtray has a millefiori base and three ground cigarette notches. It is full of colorful complex millefiori canes in a concentric design. This particular style resembles the typical St. Louis concentric design from 1845-1860. It is not unusual for paperweight makers to adapt their art to other shapes. American paperweight makers in the 40s and 50s also made ashtrays. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and may have been sold at the 1939 World's Fair. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 1 1/3" high. Excellent condition: No problems at all. Chinese origin. c.1930. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1004	Chinese Scramble Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French scramble (probably Clichy or St. Louis) made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This style is made with a higher profile than the patterned millefiori weights. Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 2 3/8" high. Scratch signed CHINA on the bottom. The bottom has been ground flat. Great condition with some minor scratches and pinpricks. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
880	Chinese Fantasy Flower Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French Baccarat 12 petal fantasy flower paperweight made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Swirling latticinio ground with a millefiori center. Size: 3 1/3" diameter by 1 7/8" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground flat. Very good condition. This weight has one serious flaw in that the bud is slightly misplaced and is not at the end of the bud stem where it should be. The surface has a rough texture common to weights of this type. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1095	Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy or Baccarat paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This type is not as common as the other patterned millefiori weights, nor is it as intricate. The millefiori canes are simple canes. Perhaps it was made later or perhaps by a different factory. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Unsigned. Bottom is ground flat. Good condition with several nicks on the side. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
877	Chinese Fantasy Flower Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French Baccarat 12 petal fantasy flower paperweight made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground with a millefiori center. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition. An outstanding example. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
672	Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Clichy paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Good condition although it does have some scratches and a few nicks on the top. $30 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
869	Chinese Scramble Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a French scramble (probably Clichy or St. Louis) made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear ground. This style is made with a higher profile than the patterned millefiori weights. This weight is unusual because of its pinkish color Size: 2 7/8" diameter by 2 1/8" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground concave. Excellent condition with a few minor scratches. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
942	Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940. Although you can see the origins in the millefiori copies above, the functional shape is a uniquely Chinese invention. The shape is flower with applied petals around the outside. This has been described as a brushholder or chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair. Size: 2" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition. Reduced ~~$55~~ $45 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1191	Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is another uniquely Chinese invention. This has also been described as a brushholder or chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair. Size: 2 5/8" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition.Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1503	Rare Chinese Enameled Clipper Ship Plaque Paperweight. c.1930-1940. This is a uniquely Chinese invention. This paperweight is shown in Hollister's Encyclopedia of Glass Paperweights (Figure 2.36). It is an enamel painting of a ship on a white enamel plaque. Rare and desirable example. Size: 2 1/3" diameter by 1 1/3" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition with only minor scratches. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image.
307	Chinese Single Marble Paperweight. c.1930. Another uniquely Chinese invention. Delicate red flower with millefiori center on top of a latticwork flowerpot. Encased in a rectangular glass block with beveled edges. Size: 1 1/4" by 1 1/4" by 1 1/2" high. Unsigned. Poor condition with quite a number of chips on the corners and edges plus a dimple on top. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1441	Chinese Millefiori Perfume Bottle or Inkwell. c.1930. Matching concentric millefiori pattern in the base and the stopper. The base is footed. A very desirable Chinese paperweight collectible. Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 5" high. Excellent condition with only minor wear consistent with age. Tiny crack on base where pontil was removed. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
1265	Chinese Patterned Millefiori Paperweight. c.1970. This is a modern Chinese copy of a French paperweight (probably Clichy or St. Louis). It has a clear ground. I included this as a modern example to contrast to the 1930s examples above. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 2 1/4" high Partial paper label "Made in China." The bottom has been ground flat. Excellent condition with some minor surface scratches. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
931	Chinese Pedestal Flower with Bird Paperweight. Unknown Age. This is a good example of a Chinese adaptation of features of older American weights. The pedestal form is generally associated with Millville crimp roses. The bird in this setting is uniquely Chinese. Many collectors believe this is a recent example because the variety was unknown until a few years ago and the thin leaves are more typical of post 1970 Chinese flowers. Size: 2 2/3" diameter by 3 1/4" high Unsigned. Excellent condition. Sold Click on the picture to see a larger image.
670	Chinese Millefiori Candlestick. c.1930. Concentric millefiori pattern in the base. This was originally the base from a inkwell or perfume and was refinished to make a candlestick. Size: 3" diameter by 3 1/16" high. Excellent condition with only minor wear consistent with age. Reduced ~~$75~~ $40 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.

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Revised 3/15/2008