Beetlewing
Encyclopedia
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Tradition
It was common in some of the ancient refined cultures of Asia to attach beetlewing pieces as an adornment to paintings, textiles and jewelry. Different species of metallic wood-boring beetle wings were used depending from the area, but traditionally the most valued were those from beetles belonging to genus SternoceraSternocera
Sternocera is a genus of beetles belonging to the Buprestidae family.-Characteristics:There are 26 species in this genus. Some species—S. aequisignata and S...
. Their wings were valued for their beautiful and hardy metallic emerald iridescence. The shiny appearance of beetlewings is long-lasting. They are surprisingly durable if subject to normal non-abusive use.
In Thailand beetlewings of wood–boring beetles Sternocera spp., , like Sternocera aequisignata, were preferred to decorate clothing (shawls and Sabai cloth) and jewelry in former court circles. The beetles have a short life span of 3 to 4 weeks in their adult stage. To avoid killing the beetles, only those that die of natural causes are collected.
In 19th-century India exquisite masterpieces of embroidered textiles were produced using beetlewing pieces. These cloth items have survived the passage of time without losing their splendor.
In some instances the beetle wings still will retain their natural sparkle, even though the cloth surrounding them may have decayed.
The species of beetle traditionally used in decorative work in Japan is Chrysochroa fulgidissima
Chrysochroa fulgidissima
Chrysochroa fulgidissima, "jewel beetle" or tamamushi in Japanese Chrysochroa fulgidissima, "jewel beetle" or tamamushi in Japanese Chrysochroa fulgidissima, "jewel beetle" or tamamushi in Japanese (Japanese kanji: 玉虫、吉丁虫 katakana: タマムシ; lit. 'gem-bug'）is a metallic woodboring beetle of the...
, known also as Tamamushi.
Survival
In Thailand this ancient tradition has mostly died out. In BangkokBangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, rare pieces of crafts and jewelry made with beetlewing are displayed at the Dusit Palace
Vimanmek Palace
The Vimanmek Palace officially named Vimanmek Mansion, is a former royal palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It is also known as the Vimanmek Teak Mansion or Vimanmek Mansion...
complex of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), now a museum.
Thanks to the encouragement and support of HRH Queen Sirikit, efforts are being made to preserve this traditional art at the Chitralada Center by supporting artisans who have kept the skill alive.
Modern beetlewing work is usually applied on simple items, like earrings and collage work. These are marketed mostly through tourist-oriented shops.