Vintage Morpho Butterfly Tray, 1940s

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What makes this piece truly special is its unique backstory. According to the attached note, this tray was handmade by … Read more What makes this piece truly special is its unique backstory. According to the attached note, this tray was handmade by a prisoner on Devil’s Island, a notorious penal colony off the coast of French Guiana. It was brought back in the 1940s by a seafaring relative, the note on the back says: “This tray was made by a prisoner on Devil’s Island, brought home by Nevine Needham’s cousin sometime in the 1940s. At that time, he was a Second Officer in the Merchant Navy, and when ships were calling at Argentina, they had to dock at Devil’s Island because the water was too shallow on the mainland at that point.” Butterfly wing crafts like this were often sold or bartered by prisoners and local artisans to passing sailors. This exceptional piece is not only a beautiful vintage butterfly wing tray, but also a poignant relic of maritime history. We are committed to preserving both nature and history. This vintage butterfly wing tray features genuine Morpho butterfly wings that were ethically and sustainably sourced. In traditional butterfly wing art, wings are collected only after the butterflies have naturally completed their life cycle. No living butterflies were harmed for this piece. By purchasing this unique tray, you are giving a second life to vintage craftsmanship that celebrates the natural beauty of tropical butterflies without impacting modern butterfly populations. This tray is a wonderful example of upcycled art, supporting the idea of reuse, responsible collecting, and mindful conservation. Measurements Height - 21 cm Width - 36 cm Depth - 2 cm See less