Rare 1930s Brazilian Art Deco Butterfly Wing Cocktail Tray - Reverse Glass Painted Santos Landscape with Parrots & Marquetry Frame This striking 1930s Brazilian Art Deco cocktail tray is a rare and beautiful example of decorative barware from the golden age of exotic luxury exports. Featuring an expansive landscape of Santo , this vibrant scene is meticulously crafted using iridescent butterfly wings set beneath reverse-painted glass, a technique that results in an enchanting, almost ethereal shimmer. The central image captures the dramatic silhouette of Santos iconic coastline, its natural beauty rendered in soft, glowing purples and blues. Flanking the scene are two brilliantly colored parrots, vivid yellow tropical flowers, and iridescent purple butterfly wings, all arranged in perfect Art Deco symmetry. The piece is framed in a finely crafted wood marquetry border, with alternating light and dark inlays forming clean, angular patterns that echo the graphic, modernist style of the era. The back is made of solid wood, offering a stable and functional surface that complements the artistic composition on the front. The tray is in excellent vintage condition. The butterfly wings are completely intact and maintain their vibrant iridescence. There is minor paint separation on the reverse side of the glass and age-appropriate wear to the wooden back, none of which detracts from the presentation or structural integrity. In the 1930s, Brazil was a key exporter of exotic decorative arts, particularly objects made with native tropical materials such as butterfly wings, hardwoods, and vibrant natural dyes. These pieces were often sold in fashionable boutiques across Europe and North America, prized as luxurious souvenirs or cocktail accessories for sophisticated homes. The use of real butterfly wings sourced from naturally expired insects, became a signature of Brazilian craftsmanship during the period, blending naturalism with Art Deco glamour. Such trays were not mass-produced and are increasingly rare to find in such complete and vivid condition. They serve as functional barware, but also as decorative art pieces that evoke the romantic allure of 1930s travel, tropical destinations, and the international reach of Art Deco design. Whether displayed on a bar cart, mounted as wall art, or used as a conversation-starting centerpiece, this butterfly wing Santo tray is a glowing example of both Brazilian heritage craftsmanship and collectible Art Deco exotica.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Great patina on the wood. No cracks on the glass.

Origin:
Brazil

Materials & Techniques:
Art Glass

Details:
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: Brazil

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Great patina on the wood. No cracks on the glass.