African Mandala Appraisal

Authentic African Butterfly Wing Collage Mandala

This is a large-scale, intricate mosaic artwork created entirely from thousands of real, ethically sourced butterfly wings. The piece is arranged in a sophisticated geometric mandala pattern centered around a vibrant blue and orange circular core, emanating outwards into a series of concentric rings of brown, black, and white speckled wings. High-contrast cream-colored wings create two large triangular fields at the top and bottom, while the side borders are filled with a complex, multicolored patchwork of various wing fragments. The level of craftsmanship is exceptional, showing precise overlapping techniques to ensure no base backing is visible. The artwork is housed in a modern black rectangular frame under glass. A small handwritten yellow sticky note in the corner reads 'Butterfly Africa Art', suggesting its origin. The condition appears sound, with the organic pigments of the wings remaining vibrant, though some slight lifting of individual scales or wings may be present due to the age and nature of the medium. The aesthetic points toward a mid-to-late 20th-century creation, popular as high-end African decorative folk art.