Lot 95
Alpheus Bonga Butterfly Wing Collages
Live — closing Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET
- Estimate
- $75–$125
- Starting bid
- $24
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About this lot
Artist: Alpheus Bonga
Medium: Natural Butterfly Wings On Board Collage
Origin: Africa
Dimension: Framed: Approx. 12 x 17.5 in.
Condition: Scuffs on frame. No visible flaws on artwork.
Additional Information: Pair of mid-20th-century African folk-art butterfly wing collages depicting stylized African women in profile. Each composition is formed from individually arranged natural butterfly wing fragments, using the insects’ original iridescent brown, yellow, cream, and patterned coloration to create the figures’ clothing, head coverings, and accessories.
Both compositions depict a woman in profile wearing an elaborately patterned dress with intricate speckled wing fragments forming her garment and coordinated headwrap. Both women are balancing an object upon their heads, possibly a broad basket or food platter.
The butterfly wings are carefully arranged in mosaic-like sections to create detailed textile patterns and silhouettes. The works are presented as framed and matted decorative panels, with each bearing a handwritten “Alpheus Bonga” signature by the bottom of the figure.
Lot details
- Lot
- 95
- Category
- Wall Art › Framed Art
- Estimate
- $75–$125
- Starting bid
- $24
- Bids
- 0
- Bidding closes
- Oct 29 at 1:15 pm ET
