Large Antique Victorian Butterfly Case With Painted Backdrop, 19Th C Lepidoptery

ANTIQUE CASED TAXIDERMY BUTTERFLY COLLECTION - LEPIDOPTERY/LEPIDOPTEROLOGY INTEREST

A stunning collection, lovingly mounted in a three dimensional glass case unusually with a hand painted landscape backdrop.

A wide variety of tropical butterflies including specimens from Asia, Australasia and Africa believed to be including: Troides amphrysus (Malay Birdwing) , Hypolimnas bolina (Blue Moon), Cymothoe consanguís (Cream Glider) , Lxias pyrene (Yellow Orange Tip) , Atrophaneura hector (Crimson Rose), Troides haliphron (Halphron Birdwing), Marpesia marcella (Purple-stained Daggerwing), Losaria coon, (Common Clubtail) and many others.

The backdrop is hand painted with a wonderful representation of a tropical landscape with palm trees, scrubland, cliffs, beaches and the sea.

Framed in its original glazed shadow box case with a parcel gilt and ebonised moulded frame.

Probably dating from the second half of the 19th century, circa 1870s-1890s in date.

Overall the piece is in good vintage condition. It has wear throughout commensurate with age. The butterflies are almost all intact with some minor losses. The painted backdrop is also in good vintage order with some minor discolouration in places but no serious issues. The case doesn’t appear to have been opened since it was made. The glass is free from cracks or chips. The frame itself has some wear, mainly around the edges with some losses that have been touched up at some point.

Approximate overall measurements: 110cm wide x 92cm high x 10cm deep.