Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 14

19th Century Butterfly Collection

$30,585.41List Price

About the Item

A 19th Century Butterfly Collection in its Original J. J. Hill & Son Collectors Cabinet. An astonishing, large and wide-ranging collection that comprises 54 glass-topped trays full of butterfly specimens. Specimens include the king swallowtail, found exclusively in North and South America, the atlas moth, endemic to the forests of Asia, moths of the genus syssphinx, the Ulysses butterfly from Australasia, the Burmese jungle queen, female birdwing butterflies from Papa New Guinea, the red Helen from south east Asia and countless more. These specimens were clearly collected from all around the world, not just the more common British species, and this implies that the original collector either travelled widely and collected these specimens themselves or had contacts around the world who collected them on their behalf. To form a collection of this scale and quality would have taken a great deal of time and patience as well as a large financial outlay. The butterflies are in unusually good condition and the collection includes some very interesting and rare examples. The collection is contained in its original glass faced, mahogany display drawers, set in a fine collectors cabinet of three banks of drawers. The cabinet is labelled by its maker, J. J. Hill & Son - London. Hill & Son were specialist makers of these sorts of cabinets. An advert by the firm printed in the 1938 Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation states that the firm were 'Entomological cabinet manufacturers' and 'specialists in interchangeable unit systems'. Cabinets by Hill are still used in the Natural History Museum in London as well as other museums and important private collections. They were the leading manufacturers of these pieces of furniture and their work is highly sought-after. A collection of this sort is both scientifically important and highly decorative and is the ideal talking point. Priced very reasonably making each tray approximately £300, without the cabinet. A rare find!

Dimensions:
Height: 44.1 in (112 cm)Width: 59.06 in (150 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
19th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
Gloucestershire, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: CA06374281stDibs: LU961441730992

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Large 19th Century Wooden Wedding Cabinet with Butterfly Hardware

$3,800

H 67 in W 42 in D 26 in

Korean Late 19th Century Two-Toned Side Chest with Brass Butterfly Hardware

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Korean two-toned side chest from the late 19th-early 20th century, with double doors and brass butterfly-shaped hardware. This Korean cabinet features a rectangular top sitting above a two-toned façade, made of petite double doors...

Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Furniture

Materials

Wood

Korean Late 19th Century Two-Toned Side Chest with Brass Butterfly Hardware

$1,900

H 18.5 in W 29 in D 13 in

Korean Late 19th Century Two-Toned Side Chest with Brass Butterfly Hardware

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Korean two-toned side chest from the late 19th century, with double doors and brass butterfly-shaped hardware. Created in Korea during the later years of the 19th century, this small cabinet features a rectangular top sitting above a two-toned façade, made of petite double doors, accented with exquisite butterfly hardware. These doors open to reveal a deep storage compartment. With its clean lines and contrasting colors, this late 19th century Korean side chest...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Korean Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Korean Late 19th Century Two-Toned Side Chest with Brass Butterfly Hardware

$1,250

H 18 in W 30 in D 13 in

19th century Italian cabinet ...

Located in Brecht, BE

love the patina on this twodoors Italian poplarwood cabinet, a genuine piece of furniture, original paint ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Cabinets

Materials

Poplar

19th century Italian cabinet ...

$6,365

H 70.08 in W 70.87 in D 23.63 in

19th Century English Cellaret

Located in Nashville, TN

This gorgeous English Cellaret makes a stunning statement as a side table or display piece. It features rich burl wood graining and wonderful patinated brass pulls. And of course, it...

Category

Antique 1850s English Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century English Cellaret

$2,620

H 27 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in

19th Century Painted Cabinet

Located in East Hampton, NY

Beautifully painted faux marble carved wood cabinet in the French manner wonderful patina single drawer atop two doors.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Painted Cabinet

$4,600

H 39.5 in W 46 in D 22 in

19th Century Venetian Armoire

Located in New Orleans, LA

Beautiful Italian armoire made up of exceptional carved and painted panels.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Wardrobes and Armoires

19th Century Venetian Armoire

$13,500

H 83.5 in W 98 in D 30 in

19th Century Empire Armoire

Located in Los Angeles, CA

French 19th century Empire armoire. In mahogany. Glass shelves with a mirror back. Gilt bronze.

Category

Late 20th Century Cabinets

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Armoire

$12,800

H 70 in W 73.5 in D 22 in

19th Century French Walnut

Located in Surrey, BC

A two door armoire with decorative carved shell motif. The doors with chicken wirework details, opening to reveal a shelved interior. Acquired from a private collection. This is a co...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Walnut

$4,200

H 76 in W 55 in D 23 in

19th Century Chinese Cabinet

Located in New York, NY

19th Century Chinese Red Lacquered Cabinet. A beautiful 19th Century Red Lacquer Gilt Painted Qing Dynasty Cabinet. Early 1800's a wonderful piece from Shanxi Province. The warm w...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Elm

19th Century Chinese Cabinet

$5,800

H 72.75 in W 50.5 in D 22.5 in

More From This Seller

View All

19th Century Cylindrical Column Cabinet

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian period cylindrical column cabinet. This cabinet is in a reeded painted pine decoration. The column opens to reveal shelves retaining their origin...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Cabinets

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Cylindrical Column Cabinet

$5,290

19th Century Buffet Deux Corps

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Fine example of a very useful cupboard. This 19th Century buffet deux corps has the most wonderful colour coming from this rare burr elm. Featuring...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Country Cabinets

Materials

Elm

19th Century Buffet Deux Corps

$4,714

English 19th Century Painted Cupboard

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

English 19th century Kentian style cupboard with gilded, carved wood details.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

English 19th Century Painted Cupboard

$7,995

19th Century Italian Painted Cabinet

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A very good quality 19th Century Italian Provincial cabinet. Hand painted in beautiful orange colour and in good original condition. Circa 1800.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Italian Painted Cabinet

$4,064

19th Century Swedish Glass Door Vitrine

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Unique and beautiful, shallow 19th Century Swedish vitrine. Useful for many rooms, finely made and a rare model. With seven shelves and four drawers. Original paint finish.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Cabinets

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Glass Door Vitrine

$6,199

19th Century English Mahogany Folio Cabinet

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Wonderful 19th Century English mahogany folio cabinet. This library cabinet features a hide top over two cross-banded panelled doors with a divided inte...

Category