Before treatment
Feather Plume
Peru
600-1000
Bryn Mawr College
Feathers, cotton cordage, plant fiber
This is a fan-shaped plume consisting of a coarse plant fiber bundle decorated with feathers and wrapped with cotton cordage. It would have originally been part of a larger headdress.
Condition Before Treatment
Overall, the plume was in fair structural condition and poor aesthetic condition. Structurally, the plume is embrittled and had become flattened and distorted, likely from storage. The plant fibers were misshapen, and many of the braids were bent and twisted.
There are minor losses to the plant fiber base, and the cordage at the tapered end is slightly unraveled. One braid is detached and housed with the object. There are significant losses to the feathers.
The plume was covered overall with surface soiling.
Detecting pesticides
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was conducted by the Scientific Research and Analysis Lab at the Winterthur Museum to detect the presence of pesticides. Pesticides are commonly found on organics in archaeology and anthropology collections. Small traces of chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) were found, which may suggest the use of an organic pesticides, such as methylene bromide.
These elements were found on all four testing areas: the detached yellow feather (red spectrum), the handle (green), and two locations on the flared braids (blue and pink).
After treatment, Rehoused
Condition After Treatment
The plume remains fragile. Distortions and bends in the fiber bundle and braids have been reduced using humidification, and the grime is reduced overall.
The feather is now rehoused in a Teflon-lined cavity-cut tray to prevent further damages and loss.
Images courtesy and copyright of Bryn Mawr College