Garlanded Butterfly

In this weight, the butterfly is set flush on the blue ground and is surrounded by a single garland of complex canes. This style is more usually associated with the work of Paul Ysart. However, the upper wings match those in one of the 3D examples (Item 16) and the canes are clearly of a style seen in many other "Vasart" (or earlier?) items, particularly Inkwells. Also, the author has knowledge of two other examples of "flat" butterfly weights with features similar to other "Salvador" items.

One major distinction in the "Salvador" butterflies is that the upper wings are pointed towards the upper tip whilst the lower wings are rounded. In Paul Ysart examples all the wings are rounded or, less frequently, all rectangular.

In the example shown here, the body is in green aventurine, there is a separate (although small) head section and the antennae are light green. The garland canes do not match either of the canes used for the wings but, from a distance, the colouring of the canes is sympathetic to the lower wings. The well finished deep blue ground is a perfect background to the greens and browns in the cane and butterfly colouring.