Alpheus Bonga Butterfly Wing Collages
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.
Condition
Please see condition note in description.
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.
Condition
Please see condition note in description.
