Pair of display cases with antique butterflies

Pair of display cases with butterflies - France - 1800s - Painted wood and glass.

Wunderkammer object (what?! https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wunderkammer) this pair of stuffed butterflies from the mid-1800s and found in France.

Real branch that crosses the case and on which butterflies of different species rest. In fact, in 1 of the 2 there is a cocoon and some tags to define the class, unfortunately now illegible.

The Wunderkammer or Chamber of Wonders, which became fashionable among the powerful of the Renaissance who thus expressed their intellectual, moral and economic superiority, had and has no purpose other than to amaze guests and fascinate them with curiosities from all over the world, both known and unknown.

Sometimes violent and macabre (there were often ampoules containing animals or even fetuses in formalin) the Wunderkammer had achieved its purpose if it did not leave people indifferent: even if repulsive, its objects had not to be banal or already seen elsewhere.

And this pair of display cases may not be to everyone's taste, but it's certainly fascinating.

Minor wear and tear, but in excellent overall condition both inside and outside the cases.

Note the touch of French chic regarding the ebonized structure of the case which features a bright red lacquered profile.

As you may have guessed from the superb quality of the images, Rattopennugo realized how difficult it is to photograph display cases.

Do you think you can finally say with full knowledge of the facts: “Why don’t you come up to me and I’ll show you my butterfly collection?!”?

The price is for each. For the pair is €. 200.