Lot 593: A George V Sterling Silver Gallery Tray by Cooper Brothers and Sons Ltd, Sheffield 1931, Housing a Papilio ulysses Butterfly Specimen
A sterling silver gallery tray manufactured by Cooper Brothers and Sons Ltd, assayed in Sheffield in 1931. The tray contains a taxidermy specimen of a Papilio ulysses butterfly, also known as the Ulysses butterfly or Blue Mountain Swallowtail. The specimen is mounted under glass against a white ground, displaying iridescent blue and dark brown wings with characteristic tails on the hindwings. The tray is of rectangular form with a decoratively pierced openwork gallery border. The side of the tray is struck with a full set of British hallmarks, including the maker mark CB&S, the crown for Sheffield, the lion passant for sterling silver, and the lowercase date letter o for 1931. The item bears an orange sticker with the handwritten number 593 and a small white sticker with the number 4.
Condition report:
The butterfly specimen is in good condition, retaining vibrant iridescent colouring. The sterling silver tray exhibits significant surface tarnishing and light wear consistent with age. The glass is intact and free of visible cracks or damage.
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