Madagascar Wild Silk Cocoon Ornament | Natural Gold

A rare cocoon from Madagascar’s wild silk moths

This ornament preserves an actual Ceranchia apollina wild silk cocoon in its natural, undyed state. Its unusual two-layer construction creates a delicate openwork exterior around a denser inner cocoon, while the silk’s inherent golden tone catches the light without added color.

Found only in Madagascar, Ceranchia is one of several native silk moth species used by farmers and artisans working with SEPALI Madagascar. The finished ornament can be hung from a holiday tree, displayed from a branch, or kept out year-round as a small study of one of the island’s remarkable endemic species.

Conservation Through Wild Silk

Native Malagasy Silk: The ornament is formed from a genuine Ceranchia wild silk cocoon, a naturally golden fiber produced by a moth endemic to Madagascar.
Wildlife-Conscious Collection: Farmers remove and protect the developing moths before collecting the emptied cocoons, allowing the adults to be released after metamorphosis.
Community-Led Enterprise: SEPALI Madagascar works with farmers and artisans near the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar, connecting conservation-based livelihoods with environmental protection.
Locally Returned Proceeds: Tanana Madagascar returns 100% of its sales proceeds to locally run artisan, farmer, and conservation programs in Madagascar.

From Cocoon to Ornament

Natural Color: The warm gold comes from the silk itself and has not been dyed.
Two Distinct Layers: An airy outer structure surrounds the denser inner cocoon, creating texture and movement at a remarkably small scale.
Made by Hand: Each ornament is prepared and assembled by artisans in Madagascar, preserving the irregular form of the original cocoon.
Individual Variation: Differences in shape, size, fiber density, and golden tone are natural and make every ornament distinct.

Beyond the Holiday Tree

Botanical Display: Suspend it from a bare branch or seasonal arrangement to emphasize its organic form.
Natural Holiday Decorating: Pair it with wood, paper, straw, dried citrus, or other ornaments made from plant and animal fibers.
Miniature Textile Art: Display it throughout the year as a small example of Madagascar’s regenerative fiber work.
Meaningful Gifting: The included kraft box and story tag make it an especially thoughtful gift for someone interested in natural history, textiles, or conservation.

Product Details

Material: Natural, undyed Ceranchia apollina wild silk cocoon
Color: Natural gold
Dimensions: Approximately 5.5 x 2.5 in
Includes: One cocoon ornament, kraft gift box, and informational story tag
Origin: Handmade from start to finish in Madagascar
Maker: SEPALI Madagascar for Tanana Madagascar
Certification: Verified Fair Trade and Certified Wildlife Friendly
Variation: Natural and handcrafted differences in size, shape, color, and fiber density are expected

Care

Handling: Handle gently by the hanging loop and avoid crushing or pulling the open silk fibers.
Storage: Return the ornament to its kraft box when not in use and store it in a clean, dry place.

Ideal For

• Building a holiday tree around natural fibers and handmade ornamentation
• Gifting to a textile artist, naturalist, conservationist, or moth enthusiast
• Adding a distinctly Malagasy material to a globally inspired ornament collection
• Displaying with botanical specimens, branches, or nature-based seasonal décor
• Choosing a small gift that supports locally led livelihoods and habitat conservation
• Introducing the story of Madagascar’s endemic wild silk into the home

From its naturally golden fibers to its extraordinary double-layered form, this ornament makes the life cycle of Madagascar’s wild silk visible.