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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION (Lots 43-55) BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF NEW GUINEA GREAT BIRDWINGS AND SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES (Lots 43-44)

Marian Ellis Rowan (1848-1922)

Four birdwing butterflies (family PAPILIONIDAE), in two columns, representing both sexes of the common birdwing (Troides (Ornithoptera) priamus)

細節

Marian Ellis Rowan (1848-1922)
Four birdwing butterflies (family PAPILIONIDAE), in two columns, representing both sexes of the common birdwing (Troides (Ornithoptera) priamus)
bodycolour on grey paper
10½ x 15in. (26.6 x 38.1cm.)
on the left are the upper- and under-sides of the male, and on the right, the upper-and under-sides of the female

來源

Blanche (Bli) Ryan, the artist's sister, and thence by descent to
Merlin Montagu Douglas Scott; Christie's London, 16 May 1995, lot 201.

注意事項

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

拍品專文

This butterfly, first named by the Swede Carl von Linn (Linnaeus) from specimens collected on the neighbouring spice islands, is one of the largest and most familiar of all New Guinea butterflies. A close relative, Queen Alexandra's birdwing (T. (O.) alexandrae), often considered to be the largest butterfly in the world, only occurs in one small area of eastern Papua New Guinea, and is the butterfly equivalent of the blue whale or tiger in terms of international conservation status and concern. The common birdwing is characteristic of forest margins. The huge caterpillars feed on Dutchman's-pipe vines.