ICA-Art Conservation

Learn about Art Conservation 

Care and Preservation of Feathers

The Colors of Feathers

Explore objects from different times and cultures with a focus on feathers

Feathers Around the World

There are many different ways to learn about feathers in fun, hands-on activities:

Fun Feather Activities

While feathers have been used in artworks and objects all over the world and across time, their importance means that artists have also frequently depicted feathers in all kinds of other artworks. Whether included for their color, symbolism, or their connotations of rarity and elegance, feathers are found in textiles, paintings and drawings, patterns on sculptures, and objects in glass, stone and metal. Explore some different materials in this activity - which do you like best?

Artists' Fascination with Feathers 

Headdress Ornament 1800s–1900s. China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Copper-silver alloy, gilding, kingfisher feathers, glass beads

The Deterioration of Feathers

Pelerine (Collar or Cape) c. 1830–1860 Northeastern Woodlands, Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River Region or Europe Cotton, peacock feathers, guinea fowl feathers, Gadwalls duck feathers. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Textile Art Alliance in honor of their 60th Anniversary, 1996.14

Introduction 

A Gentleman and a Lady Riding to the Chase, 1506. Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553)

Crazy for Feathers

Feathers are made of the protein called keratin, which also makes up human hair and fingernails.  The well-structured feathers that help birds fly are called contour feathers, which are a type of pennaceous feather. The softer, less-structured downy feathers that birds use for warmth are called plumulaceous feathers. The structure of the feathers generally makes them inedible for birds themselves, though the Slovenian Grebe birds regularly consume their own feathers! Can you name any of the parts of a feather?

The Structure of Feathers

Feathery fun! Dive into what makes feathers so colorful and how different cultures used them to make artworks and objects. Learn about how art conservators study and care for this beautiful and delicate material.


Feathery Fun - The Care and Conservation of Feathers

Application/Practice of Science

Science

Visual Arts

The Arts

Careers

Careers in Museums

1988.40_web.jpg

This eagle stands on an integrated bronze base with overlapping ovoid-shaped feathers creating a layered pattern across its body, and its tail feathers fanned out. The wings, now lost, were likely cast separately in bronze and then soldered or welded to the bird’s body. The eyes are inlaid with red stones believed to be garnets. The eagle is associated with Jupiter, king of the gods, and the Roman poets Virgil and Horace described the birds as the bearers of his thunderbolt. While eagles were often depicted on Roman coins, the bird is rarely depicted in the round in Roman art.








Imperial Eagle

Description

Object Information

Appears In

Feathery Fun - The Care and Conservation of Feathers