Feathers create challenges for collections care because they are federally regulated, difficult to store and display, and particularly difficult to conserve and travel. Feathers occur in many guises and in many types of collections. Featherwork collections include holdings in research, natural science, anthropological, historic, fine arts, and tribal museums. Featherwork sometimes resembles the bird, such as in the case of bird taxidermy. In other cases, feathers are culturally or commercially harvested and manipulated for a different presentation and use, such as in cases of fashion or contemporary art. Stewards sometimes place importance on the significance and honesty of coloration, and on the manipulations and attachment methods used for feathers, and sometimes do not! The significance of feathers varies according to the collection, and the way that collection items are documented, displayed, stored and cared for is a negotiation between institutional and/or community priorities and material needs.

This webinar will include a discussion about the ways feathers are artistically and culturally manipulated, the influence of coloration and display lighting on feather preservation, as well as providing a review of display, cleaning and pest eradication methods recommended for feathers. And, we will also discuss the documentation necessary for the shipping of feathers.

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The statements and opinions expressed by panelists, hosts, attendees, or other participants of this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of, nor are endorsed by, the American Alliance of Museums.