Beetlewing

It was common in some of the ancient cultures of Asia to attach beetlewing pieces as an adornment to paintings, textiles and jewelry.

[citation needed] In 19th-century India exquisite masterpieces of embroidered textiles were produced using beetlewing pieces.

[2] In some instances, the beetle wings will retain their natural sparkle, even though the cloth surrounding them may have decayed.

[citation needed] The species of beetle traditionally used in decorative work in Japan is Chrysochroa fulgidissima, known also as Tamamushi.

In Bangkok, rare pieces of crafts and jewelry made with beetlewing are displayed at the Dusit Palace complex of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), now a museum.

Off-white cotton sheer ground with embroidered design of a stylized floral spray. The vines are executed in gold foil strips, the small flowers in gilt sequins, and the leaves in beetle elytra.
Sternocera aequisignata แมลงทับ, a beetle used in Thailand for beetlewing decoration.
Tamamushi Shrine , Horyu-ji , Nara prefecture, Japan. Asuka Period , decorated with lacquer and oil painting on wood, gilt bronze plaques, and the iridescent wings of jewel beetle ( Tamamushi ).