ICA-Art Conservation

Learn about Art Conservation 

Care and Preservation of Feathers

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

Feathers Around the World

The Colors of Feathers

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

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

Fun Feather Activities

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.


Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Feathered Tabard or Tunic

Description

Object Information

Appears In

Feathery Fun - The Care and Conservation of Feathers