Topic: Anyone want to discuss what the strange paperweight on eBay tonight was?

[paperweights]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181911899236

Went for $2,650.  It has me stumped.  Any comments?

[glass man]

That is beyond me?  From the looks or clarity and the amount of damage and scratches I would think late 19th century, 1880-1900. Seller said from Milwaukee and there is a museum collection there so maybe? So with 16 bids somebody knew something about it. I'll check my book collection.     

[tropdevin]

***

Hi.  I think it is late 19th century, middle European - possibly Russian.  If the latter, stick an extra zero on the end to get nearer the price!  But my feeling is that it is Silesian or Bohemian.

Alan

[mildawg]

I'd say bohemian,especially the way the "vase" appears to be made with small rods of glass.....similar to the way I've seen sone if the butterfly paperweights.

[alpha]

If the design is made of powdered frit, then the price to me is justified. But if it turns out to be enameled on the piece albeit encased, then I think it is not. It was tough to tell from the photos. I agree with Alan on the attribution.