Details
A RARE PAIR OF JADEITE BUTTERFLY WINGS
The mottled deep-emerald and paler green plaques carved and pierced into a pair of butterfly wings of naturalistic outline, the veins lightly engraved on the surface, late Qing dynasty
height 7.6 mm
thickness 1.4 mm (2)
The mottled deep-emerald and paler green plaques carved and pierced into a pair of butterfly wings of naturalistic outline, the veins lightly engraved on the surface, late Qing dynasty
height 7.6 mm
thickness 1.4 mm (2)
Further details
Butterflies were extremely common in late Qing hair ornaments, made of thin jadeite plaques and other gemstones attached with wire to silver or gold pins. However, most of these plaques are of rounded triangular outline, engraved with a stylised bat and cash. The naturalistic plaques seen opposite are more rare. It is interesting that a photograph of the Empress Dowager Cixi (see p. ) shows her wearing a hairpin with a pair of butterfly's wings of similar outline and size