Real Butterflies Framed

TWO FRAMED BUTTERFLY SPECIMEN DISPLAYS - A SINGLE MOUNTED BLUE TIGER TYPE BUTTERFLY IN A SMALL GOLD FRAME AND A VERTICAL THREE-SPECIMEN FRAME WITH TWO SWALLOWTAIL TYPE BUTTERFLIES AND A SECOND BLUE TIGER, ALL ON TERRACOTTA VELVET GROUND Two framed butterfly specimen displays out of this estate, the kind of decorative natural history piece sold through gift shops and import houses and hung as a set. These appear to be real preserved butterflies, spread and pinned, rather than printed images, mounted on a warm terracotta or rust-colored velvet or flocked backing and sealed behind glass in slim gold-finished frames. The smaller frame is square and holds a single butterfly with pale blue and white semi-transparent spotting across dark forewings and warm brown hindwings, a pattern consistent with a blue tiger or glassy tiger type. The taller frame holds three specimens stacked vertically: a top and bottom pair with bold black wings marked with rows of cream and white spots and pale blue banding at the body, consistent with a graphium or swallowtail type, and a middle specimen matching the blue tiger in the small frame. The warm rust ground sets off the wing patterns nicely and both frames have brass sawtooth or loop hangers already fitted to the back, so they are ready to hang as a matched pair. This is a good decorator lot for a study, den, cabin, or a natural history and curiosity display, and it will also draw entomology and oddity collectors. Bidders should note these are fragile insect specimens under glass, the frames show light wear, and no attempt was made to open either frame or verify species. Sold as a lot of 2 framed displays containing 4 butterflies total. Description Small square frame, one specimen - slim gold-finished wood or composite frame with a plain angled profile, glazed, holding a single spread butterfly pinned or glued to a terracotta velvet or flocked panel. The butterfly has dark brown to black forewings with rows of pale blue-white translucent spots and streaks, warm medium brown hindwings with the same pale spotting, and a striped blue-gray and black body with fine antennae intact. Measures approximately 5-1/2 inches square overall per the tape-measure photographs, with the mounted panel opening approximately 4 inches square. In the measurement photographs the tape hook rests on top of the frame rather than hooked over the edge, so these are close estimates. The back is a plain kraft-paper-covered board with a small brass loop hanger fitted at the top center. Tall rectangular frame, three specimens - matching slim gold-finished frame in a vertical format, glazed, holding three spread butterflies arranged one above the other on the same terracotta velvet or flocked ground. Top specimen: black wings with two curving rows of cream and white spots on the forewings, a broad cream band and white spots on the hindwings, and a pale blue and white striped body. Middle specimen: matches the butterfly in the small frame, with pale blue-white translucent spotting on dark forewings and warm brown hindwings. Bottom specimen: similar to the top one, black wings with heavy cream and white spotting and a bold cream and blue-white patch at the body, with long antennae intact. Measures approximately 9-1/2 inches tall by roughly 5-1/2 inches wide overall per the tape-measure photographs, with the mounted panel opening roughly 8 by 4 inches. The tape hook rests on top of the frame in both measurement photographs, so these are close estimates as well. The back is a plain kraft-paper-covered board with a brass loop hanger at the top center. No species labels, collection data, locality tags, dealer labels, price tags, importer stickers, or country of origin marks are visible on the front or back of either frame in the photographs. Neither frame was opened. Bidders should verify all dimensions and details from the photographs. Attribution note Framed butterfly specimen displays of this type were produced in quantity through the later twentieth century, most commonly in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, and imported for the gift and decorator trade, which is why they turn up in American homes with no collection data attached. The wing patterns visible here are consistent with blue tiger or glassy tiger butterflies of the Tirumala or Ideopsis group for the two pale blue spotted specimens and with graphium swallowtails of the jay or swordtail group for the two heavily cream-spotted specimens, all of which are common Asian species widely used in commercial mounted displays. These are identifications by wing pattern from photographs only, no specimen was examined in hand, no label or collection data accompanies either frame, and no species determination is guaranteed. Everything above is offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion. No representation is made regarding CITES status, protected species status, or import documentation, and none accompanies the lot; buyers responsible for compliance in thei