Butterfly Wing Pendant Value Guide

This vintage sterling silver pendant showcases the iridescent blue Morpho butterfly wing, a hallmark of Art Deco jewelry popularized by Thomas L. Mott. These pieces became a sensation after the 1924 British Empire Exhibition, capturing the era's fascination with exotic tropical motifs like the hand-painted palm tree silhouette.

What affects the value of Butterfly Wing Pendant?

• Condition of the wing, as moisture or air leaks can cause darkening or 'browning' of the vibrant blue scales.
• The presence of a recognized maker's mark, such as Thomas L. Mott (TLM), which increases desirability for collectors.
• The intricacy of the painted silhouette scene, with tropical palm tree motifs being highly representative of the period.
• The integrity of the sterling silver frame and the original glass cover, ensuring no chips or heavy tarnish.

How to Identify Butterfly Wing Pendant?

• Check for the 'Sterling' or '925' hallmark on the silver setting, often found on the reverse or the bale.
• Look for the characteristic intense, shifting iridescence of genuine South American Morpho butterfly wings under the glass cabochon.
• Examine the reverse for the 'TLM' maker's mark, signifying the influential British jeweler Thomas L. Mott.
• Verify that the palm tree scene is hand-painted on the underside of the glass or directly on the wing surface.

History of Butterfly Wing Pendant

Butterfly wing jewelry became popular in the Art Deco era, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s. British jeweler Thomas L. Mott is credited with popularizing these pieces after exhibiting them at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. The iridescent blue wings of the South American Morpho butterfly were most commonly used, often depicting tropical scenes like palm trees, which were exotic and fashionable at the time.