Beetlewing

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).

Beetlewing, or beetlewing art, is an ancient craft technique using iridescent beetle wings practiced traditionally in Thailand, Myanmar, India, China and Japan. Notable beetlewing garments include Lady Curzon's peacock dress (1903) and a costume dress worn by the actress Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, depicted in the painting Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth (1889).