Before paperweights the only thing people had was either a stone or an inkwell.  The first paperweights were made of semi-precious stones, silver, bronze or ormolu.  The use of glass began in the 19th century and reached a high point in France, although other countries also produced some fine work as France, Britain, and The USA still do.

Many of the most decorative paperweights incorporated a design of coloured glass canes, such as crown (with twisted ribbons), Mushroom (swirled or scrambled) in a random pattern.  The most sought after and expensive weights today use animal or plant motifs, the design is covered in clear glass to magnify the pattern, and sometimes overlaid again in one or more colours, windows may have been cut in the overlay to show the pattern or a star may have been cut in the base.

Most paperweights measure between 63 mm and 80 mm across, but there are miniatures less than 51 mm across.  Chips and scratches happen easily, these marks can be removed by grinding and then polishing, but this greatly reduces the value. 

The golden age of the French paperweight being made was from around 1845--1880.  The best came from the Baccarat, St Lois and Clichy factories.  Identifying the make is not difficult.  Some millefiori weights included canes with the manufacturers initials, so others can be attributed by comparison.  Some are signed and dated, and fetch high prices in auction.

Many maker's pieces include  characteristic canes, for example, the pink and green Clichy Rose, and the fine arrow heads and silhouette human and animal figures of Baccarat and St Louis.   Clichy specialised in mushroom weights, overlays and swirls, Baccarat produced flower, fruit and vegetable weights, and St Louis made a cross pattern and used a salmon pink colour.

Most mid 19th century weights from these factories can sell for £200--£2000 at auction.   Paperweights were also made in other French places, in Bohemia and in Venice, but none matched the standard of the top three.  George Bacchus of Birmingham and White Friars of London made weights, but their canes are large and crude by comparison.  Prices for these makers are usually in the low hundreds