More French, Baccarat 6
All the snow weights were French. The snow and the liquid which they contained were made by a chemical formula which has not been duplicated in modern times. The old weights of this type were mounted on bases of china or marble. Those made today are usually mounted on bases of wood or some composition material. One of the finest of the old snow weights contained a green tree spreading over a diminutive castle. The castle forming the background was made of a brownish, rubber-like material which has the strange property that if it is exposed to a high temperature it will bend out of shape and cannot thereafter be restored to its former position.
| The snow weight shown on the left has in the foreground a woman dressed in red and carrying a red parasol. Red predominates in the dress of many of the figures in weights of this kind, and it may be said in general that red was a popular color in the design of most of the old snow paperweights. These weights were made about 1850, and it is held by some that they were intended primarily as toys for children.
|
The Baccarat factory is not only in existence today, but it is still one of the finest glass manufacturing establishments in France. It is to be regretted that its workmen no longer produce the exquisite little creations which are enough in themselves to shed glory upon the name of Baccarat forever.
