Precolumbian and Ethnographic Featherwork from the Andes and Amazon in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Abstract

Archaeological evidence clearly indicates that brightly colored and intricately patterned textiles were highly regarded in Precolumbian Peru. It also appears that feathered textiles and related objects held a special place within this tradition. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas is a significant repository of more than 100 works of Andean and Amazonian featherwork. The earliest of these examples was given to the museum in 1929, although most were acquired or given during the 1950’s. While the corpus of ethnographic works in this collection is relatively small, consisting of fewer than a dozen pieces, they are nonetheless an invaluable aid when studying the archaeological group. The majority of MMA featherworks are Precolumbian and they include examples from many of the well-known archaeological types such as ceremonial garments, headdresses, and hangings. There is also a group of miniature garments and accessories believed to have been ritual offerings. All these artifacts have been preserved for five hundred years or longer by burial in arid climatic conditions. Most of these artifacts have been attributed to the north and central coasts of Peru, but MMA's collection includes examples that may have come from the south coast and/or Chile. The earliest and most well known featherworks in the collection are the twenty-two blue and yellow macaw feather hangings that are attributed to the Wari culture. Most of the remaining works are attributed to the Chimú or Inka cultures. Approximately ten featherworks are of uncertain cultural origin. This presentation will begin with a description of feather anatomy—structure, types, distribution and the origin of color in feathers. A brief historical overview of feathered artifacts found at selected Peruvian archaeological sites will follow. Examples, primarily from the MMA collection, described above, will be presented. Where possible, these feathers will be identified and attributed to specific bird species. Problems in feather identification will also be discussed. A brief technical analysis will be presented for one or two selected examples in order to show the methods of manufacture of these artifacts.

Keywords

• feathers
• techniques
• art
• images
• conservation