Preliminary identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a beautifully sculpted, triangular-profile studio glass paperweight featuring a deep amethyst purple swirl and a central suspended element of shimmering dichroic glass. The base is hand-engraved with the artist's signature 'DRD' and the date '99'. The piece acts as a prism, catching and shifting light through its multi-layered, metallic-infused core.
Story
Crafted in 1999, this paperweight contains dichroic glass, a high-tech material originally developed by NASA for satellite mirrors. Studio artists adapted this space-age technology to create mesmerizing, color-shifting miniature worlds.
Maker / Origin
David R. Demry is an accomplished American studio glass artist active in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, known for his mastery of paperweights and sculptural glass. His work frequently utilizes rich color palettes, controlled air bubbles, and metallic inclusions to create depth.
Condition & Value
The paperweight appears to be in excellent vintage condition with no visible chips, deep scratches, or bruising to the polished surfaces. The ground base shows minimal shelf wear consistent with age. Excellent condition is highly important for glass collectors and helps maintain the upper end of the value range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.