The rarity value of the weight lies in the date cane: so far, only 4 other weights have been recorded with this type of white plaque dated 1848. Attributed to the Josephine Glassworks in Silesia, the weight has 20 complex millefiori canes arranged in 2 rows around a central monkey silhouette in a complex cane. A second rare feature is the fact that the canes are set - not on a muslin cushion - but over swirling latticinio!
There is a second - slightly smaller, monkey silhouette - plus an animal silhouette (a dog?) which has only been identified in one other weight. There are also 9 arrow canes - some forming the centre of complex canes. Split canes, laid lengthwise, form a “garland” around the perimeter.
The concave base has a 32-point star cut, which extends to the perimeter.