Museum-Quality Antique Brazilian Morpho Butterfly Wing Art Plate

Details

Description

Museum-Quality Antique Brazilian Morpho Butterfly Wing Art Plate

This exceptional piece of natural history art is a premier example of … Read more Museum-Quality Antique Brazilian Morpho Butterfly Wing Art Plate

This exceptional piece of natural history art is a premier example of the "Sunburst" mosaic technique perfected in Brazil during the early 20th century. Centered by a vintage photographic silhouette of the Christ the Redeemer monument, the figure is haloed by the legendary iridescent blue scales of the Blue Morpho (Morpho menelaus).

The intricate outer radiating border is composed of natural patterned wings from the Southern Monarch (Danaus erippus), accented with the creamy gold highlights of the Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea). These specimens were hand-applied to a metal substrate, creating a shimmering, multi-dimensional effect that changes with the angle of light.

Dimensions
Diameter: 9 inches
Depth: 1 inches

Condition
Excellent Antique Condition. The structural integrity of the wing scales is remarkably well-preserved, maintaining the intense structural coloration for which the Morpho species is famous. The photographic element remains sharp, and the protective cover has prevented significant environmental degradation. The reverse shows an authentic aged patina on the metal dish with its original hanging loop intact.

Provenance
Crafted in Brazil circa 1930–1945 for the exclusive international export market. Such pieces were prized souvenirs of the "Golden Age of Travel," representing the exotic biodiversity of the Amazonian rainforest.

A sophisticated intersection of entomology, photography, and folk art, this masterfully identified specimen plate is a vibrant focal point for any curated collection of world travel antiquities. See less