Real Butterflies Framed
Updated September 5, 2026
| Lot number | 213 |
| Auction | Hancock Estate Auction |
| Date | September 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM CDT |
| Auction house | Harrison Auction & Realtor |
| Location | Gracemont, Oklahoma |
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
Register & bid on this lot at Bidspirit →
