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Chinese Paperweights for Sale
www.paperweights.com
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 over 80 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.
The Chinese makers often combined design features found in paperweights from different makers. For example they copied the latticinio grounds used by New England Glass Company and used them with copies of Baccarat Pansy weights. They copied the pedestal rose from Millville and then used the pedestal bottom with other weights. It is fun to collect all the variations.
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
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Rare Chinese Scramble Paperweight with White Enamel
Plaque "MADE IN CHINA". circa 1930. A humorous addition
from China. Since this style was intended to be a copy of a French
scramble or end of day weight from 1845-1860 (probably St. Louis or Clichy),
it leaves you wondering why they chose to add the "MADE IN CHINA" plaque
at the bottom. Perhaps it was a response to the US customs requirement
that goods be marked with the country of origin in English starting about
1921. Some importers complied by scratch signing the word CHINA on
the bottom. In any event, this is a rare and welcome addition to
any collection of Chinese paperweights.
Small Size: 2 1/8” diameter by 1 1/4" high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweightSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Signed 1930s Chinese Closepack Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930.
This is a copy of a French antique paperweight from 1845-1860. Most
likely it was based on a Clichy closepack design. Clear ground.
A nice example with great color.
Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. Large Size: 2 7/8” diameter by just under 1 1/2"
high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$55 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 1609 | 1930s Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940.
This is another uniquely Chinese invention. This has also been described
as a chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing
in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair.
I call this shape the Aladdin's lamp shape.
Size: 2 9/16” long by 1 9/16" wide by 1 3/8" deep.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$39 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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1930s Chinese Millefiori Brushholder Paperweight. c.1930-1940.
This is another uniquely Chinese invention. This has also been described
as a chopstick holder. Novelty items like this started appearing
in the US in the 1930s and some were sold at the 1939 World's Fair.
I call this shape the lotus flower shape. It has a floral shape with
applied petals around the outside.
Size: 2 1/8" diameter by 1 1/3" high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$39 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 1385 | Unusual Chinese Mosaic Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1950-70.
Unusual Chinese millefiori with mosaic canes. Not a lot is known
about this style. Sometimes there is a flower cane or some Chinese
writing. Some people call the pink and white canes fish canes, but
I don't see a fish. The style is believed to be from 1950-1970.
Small Size: 2 1/4" high by just over 1 3/4" high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweightSOLD. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger image |
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Chinese Miniature Butterfly Paperweight. circa 1930-1970.
This miniature paperweight features a yellow and orange lampwork butterfly
flying with wings extended over a bed of bubbles.
The white are in the picture is my inventory label showing through.
Please ignore it.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$25 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 1601 | Chinese Dogwood Flower Paperweight. circa 1930-1950.
This paperweight features two dogwood flowers with millefiori centers and
two buds along with branches over a clear ground. A welcome addition
to any collection of Chinese paperweights.
Size: 2 3/8” diameter by 1 3/4" high. The bottom
is ground concave.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweightSOLD . Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Modern Chinese Lampwork White Flower. circa 1970-1990.
This paperweight features a bouquet of four white crocus type lampwork
flower with leaves over a clear ground. A welcome addition to any
collection of Chinese paperweights.
Size: 2 1/3” diameter by 2" high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweightSOLD . Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 1604 | 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. It has some very unusual turquoise canes.
Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 1 2/3" high. Unsigned. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. Some light surface scratches. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2456 | Faceted Chinese Pansy Paperweight. circa 1930. This is
a copy of a Baccarat Type III Pansy paperweight from France made in the
classic period from 1845-1860. There is a lampwork pansy with millefiori
center, plus stem, buds, and leaves. This paperweight has spiral
latticinio ground, sometimes called a double latticinio ground because
of the way the rods cross back on each other. This is a splendid
example with one top facet and 17 side facets.
This paperweight was made to fool the collector into believing they are getting the real antique Baccarat Pansy. It is a very good copy, but Baccarat never used latticinio grounds. The Chinese learned to make the latticinio grounds by copying those from New England Glass Company paperweights. Chinese paperweights like this have become very collectible. With its faceting, this is a superb example and is worthy of any collection. Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. Size: Just over 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are some very light surface scratches and some tiny nicks on the facets. The base is ground concave. Listed in Hall's book with a price guide of $450-500. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2101 | 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. It has a clear ground and a millefiori center.
Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. The bottom has been ground flat. Very good condition with a few small nicks and scratches. The glass has debris and bubbles common to weights of this type. $70 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 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. |
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| 1075 | Chinese Millefiori Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a
paperweight from France made in the classic period from 1845-1860. Clear
ground. Possibly based on a Baccarat paneled carpet ground
design. A nice very large example, full of canes and with great color.
Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 1 3/4" high. Unsigned. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. Some light surface scratches. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger image
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| 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. |
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| 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. $225 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| 1447 | Chinese Concentric Millefiori Paperweight. circa 1930. This
is a copy of a Clichy 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.
Small Size: 2 3/8” diameter by just under 1 7/8” high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$35 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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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. |
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Chinese Scramble Paperweight. c.1960 to 1970. 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.
I believe this paperweight was made in the mid 20th century (1960-1970). I have included this as a modern example to contrast to the 1930s examples elsewhere on this page. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. The bottom is partially finished and has been ground slightly concave. Excellent condition. No flaws. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2041 | 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. This
is a collectible example of a hard to find style.
Size: 2 1/3" diameter by 1 3/8" high. Unsigned.
SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Chinese Single Marble Paperweight. c.1930. Another uniquely
Chinese invention. Delicate red flower with millefiori center on top of
a latticework 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. |
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| 2455 | Chinese Pansy Paperweight. c.1930. This is a copy of a Baccarat
Type III Pansy paperweight from France made in the classic period from
1845-1860. It has spiral latticinio ground. This is sometimes called
a double latticinio ground because of the way the rods cross back on each
other. This is an excellent example with
This paperweight was made to fool the collector into believing they are getting the real Baccarat Pansy. It is a very good copy, but Baccarat never used latticinio grounds. Unfortunately the Chinese did not use lead crystal like Baccarat. And the paperweight does not have the brilliant clarity that we expect to find in a fine paperweight. Faceted examples, like the one found elsewhere on this page, compensate for the lack clarity by reducing the amount of glass between the pansy lampwork and the viewer. Please ignore the white areas, they are glare from the lights. Size: 2 3/4" diameter by 2" high. Unsigned. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are, however, some scratches on the dome (visible in the pictures). The base is ground concave. Listed in Hall's book with a price guide of $350-450. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2238 | Chinese Millefiori Perfume Bottle or Inkwell. c.1930.
Matching concentric millefiori pattern in the base and the stopper.
Each has four rings of millefiori around a central floral cane. The
base is footed. I would call this bottle a scent or perfume bottle
because of the long stopper that reaches almost to the bottom of the well.
A very desirable Chinese paperweight collectible.
This is a copy of a Whitefriars inkwell from about 1920. You can see the Whitefriars version by clicking this link or by visiting the Whitefriars web page. Note the similarity right down to the footed base. Size: 3 1/8" diameter by 5 1/2" high. Excellent condition with only minor wear consistent with age. As is typical of Chinese paperweights from this period, there is some debris in the glass and it has a greenish hue. For comparable pricing, check lot 288 in Selman's Fall 2002 auction, in which a similar sized bottle brought $303 against an estimate of $275-$400. For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 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. |
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| 2204 | 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.
The pedestal has a double foot.
Some 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 3/4" diameter by 3 1/8" high Unsigned. Excellent condition. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 2167 | Chinese Footed Crimp Rose. Circa 1930. This is a
1930s Chinese copy of a Millville Crimp Rose. It has 12 ruby colored
petals and four green leaves. At the base is a double foot.
The South Jersey Crimp Rose is one of the most famous American paperweights. The best makers were Emil Larson of Vineland, New Jersey and Ralph Barber of Millville, New Jersey. There were also other makers. Newell's Old Glass Paperweights of Southern New Jersey shows examples of both the South Jersey weight and the 1930s Chinese copy. Size: 3 1/4" diameter by 3 1/2" high Unsigned. The
base is ground concave.
Paperweights of this type often sell in the $200 to $300 range. However because of the damage and repair, I am offering this at a bargain price. $75 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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| 1177 | Chinese Footed Pink Rose. Circa 1980-2000. This
is a modern Chinese copy of a Millville Crimp Rose. It has 19 pink
colored petals and three green leaves. There is a central stamen
made with a complex millefiori cane. At the base is a double foot.
Unlike the 1930s copy, this more recent copy of the Millville Crimp Rose has thin petals and is a lampwork rose rather than a crimp rose. Lampwork flowers are assembled at a hot torch (lamp) before being encased in glass. Crimp roses are made by a more difficult process that creates the rose in a single step using a metal crimp. Size: 2 7/8" diameter by 3" high Unsigned. The base is ground flat. Excellent condition. No chips or cracks. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Modern Magnum Chinese Lampwork Flower with bees. circa
1980-2000. A great example of a modern Chinese paperweight.
Features a lampworked pink ruffled flower with leaves and two bees hovering
over the surface of the flower. The flower and bees are executed
with quality. A welcome addition to any collection of Chinese paperweights.
Large Size: 3 1/8” diameter by just under 3" high.
For extra pictures, click on the picture at the right and the following links: Large picture of the paperweight$35 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
Click on the picture to see a larger image |
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Chinese Figural Bird Paperweight with Millefiori. Circa
1980-2000. This is a modern Chinese figural paperweight in the form
of a bird. There are millefiori canes in the base. There are
two dots of color for the eyes and a pinched beak. Also two bumps
on the back for wings.
The millefiori canes used in modern paperweights are distinct from the style used in the 1930s. Size: 2 1/2" tall by about 1 3/4" diameter at the base. The base is ground flat. Excellent condition. No chips or cracks. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image. |
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Revised 11/12/2011
