A real butterfly wing, preserved under glass in a square sterling silver locket that opens via a screw-mechanism bail. Turn the coiled bail to unscrew the top panel and the interior reveals itself, currently holding a fragment of wing showing the amber, brown, and white patterning characteristic of a large tropical species. Both faces of the locket display the wing from slightly different angles, so the piece reads differently front to back.
Butterfly wing jewelry has a long history in the Victorian and Edwardian traditions, and it has never really gone away among natural history collectors and insect jewelry enthusiasts. This one is genuinely interesting. The square format, the double-sided glass display, and the functional screw opening make it more than a simple enclosure piece. The wing is the art and the locket is its frame.
Condition: Estate very good. Glass panels intact on both sides. Screw mechanism and hinge function correctly. Wing fragment intact with vivid color retention. Unmarked sterling.
Key Features:
Material: Sterling silver frame, clear glass panels front and back
Contents: Real butterfly wing fragment, amber and brown with white markings
Construction: Square locket, hinged with screw-open bail mechanism
Dimensions: Approximately 3/4 inch square, sized similarly to a quarter
Hallmarks: Unmarked sterling
Closure: Screw bail opens to access interior
Display: Double-sided glass, wing visible from both faces
Era: Vintage, mid to late 20th century
Style: Natural history jewelry, insect jewelry, display locket
