Difference between revisions of "Feather"

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m (Text replace - "== Authority ==" to "== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==")
 
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[[File:2001.145-SC11419.jpg|thumb|]]
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[[File:2003.659-SC77850.jpg|thumb|War bonnet<br>MFA# 2003.659]]
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[[File:1994.410-SC1629.jpg||thumb|Headdress (susiu)<br>MFA# 1994.410]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
 
The stiff, lightweight, often colorful, [[keratin]] structure that is the principal covering of birds. Feathers are composed of a central, hollow [[quill]] that attaches to the bird's body. For flight feathers, each side of the quill (vane) has a series of slender, closely spaced barbs that interlock to form a continuous, flat surface. Plume feathers (e.g., [[ostrich]], [[peacock]]) are less cohesive with unconnected barbs. [[Down]] feathers, obtained from young birds or the undergrowth of adult birds, are soft and lack barbs. Feathers naturally occur in a wide variety of colors pigmented with [[melanin]] (black to yellow) and [[carotenoid|carotenoids]] (red and yellow). Most birds periodically drop feathers as part of a molting process. Feathers and quills have been used since ancient times for decoration, clothing, masks, and as writing utensils. The fashionable use of feathers in the 19th century directly resulted in several bird preservation laws (e.g. [[eagle]]).
 
The stiff, lightweight, often colorful, [[keratin]] structure that is the principal covering of birds. Feathers are composed of a central, hollow [[quill]] that attaches to the bird's body. For flight feathers, each side of the quill (vane) has a series of slender, closely spaced barbs that interlock to form a continuous, flat surface. Plume feathers (e.g., [[ostrich]], [[peacock]]) are less cohesive with unconnected barbs. [[Down]] feathers, obtained from young birds or the undergrowth of adult birds, are soft and lack barbs. Feathers naturally occur in a wide variety of colors pigmented with [[melanin]] (black to yellow) and [[carotenoid|carotenoids]] (red and yellow). Most birds periodically drop feathers as part of a molting process. Feathers and quills have been used since ancient times for decoration, clothing, masks, and as writing utensils. The fashionable use of feathers in the 19th century directly resulted in several bird preservation laws (e.g. [[eagle]]).
  
[[File:1976.514-E1380CR-d1.jpg|thumb|'''MFA Acc. #:''' 1976.514]]
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[[File:1976.514-E1380CR-d1.jpg|thumb|Feather fan<br>MFA# 1976.514]]
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
featherwork; feathers (pl.); fjer (Dan.); Feder (Deut.); pluma (Esp.); plume (Fr.); penna (It.); veer (Ned.); fjær (Nor.); pióra ptaka (Pol.); pena (Port.)
 
featherwork; feathers (pl.); fjer (Dan.); Feder (Deut.); pluma (Esp.); plume (Fr.); penna (It.); veer (Ned.); fjær (Nor.); pióra ptaka (Pol.); pena (Port.)
 
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== Risks ==
== Other Properties ==
 
 
 
Insoluble in organic solvents.  Burns giving odor of burnt hair.  Becomes limp in boiling water.
 
 
 
== Hazards and Safety ==
 
  
 
Many natural and synthetic colors in bird feathers are not lightfast.
 
Many natural and synthetic colors in bird feathers are not lightfast.
 +
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
  
== Additional Information ==
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* Insoluble in organic solvents. 
 
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* Burns giving odor of burnt hair.
° Bishop Museum: [http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/pdfs/cnsv-feathers.pdf Care of feathers]
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* Becomes limp in boiling water.
 
 
° O. Untracht, ''Jewelry Concepts and Technology'', Doubleday &amp; Co., Inc., New York, 1985.
 
  
 
== Additional Images ==
 
== Additional Images ==
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:2003.659-SC77850.jpg|
 
File:1994.410-SC1629.jpg|
 
 
File:Parakeet.Feathers.jpg|Parakeet feathers
 
File:Parakeet.Feathers.jpg|Parakeet feathers
 
File:Feather200X_RT.jpg|Parakeet feathers
 
File:Feather200X_RT.jpg|Parakeet feathers
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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== Resources and Citations ==
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* Bishop Museum: [http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/pdfs/cnsv-feathers.pdf Care of feathers]
  
== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
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* O. Untracht, ''Jewelry Concepts and Technology'', Doubleday &amp; Co., Inc., New York, 1985.
  
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: "Feather" Allyson Rae
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: "Feather" Allyson Rae
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* Rosalie Rosso King, ''Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation'', Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
 
* Rosalie Rosso King, ''Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation'', Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
  
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "feather." Encyclopædia Britannica. 9 Nov. 2004 .
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "feather." Accessed. 9 Nov. 2004 .
  
 
* Oppi Untracht, ''Jewelry Concepts and Technology'', Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York City, 1985
 
* Oppi Untracht, ''Jewelry Concepts and Technology'', Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York City, 1985

Latest revision as of 10:39, 25 July 2022

War bonnet
MFA# 2003.659
Headdress (susiu)
MFA# 1994.410

Description

The stiff, lightweight, often colorful, Keratin structure that is the principal covering of birds. Feathers are composed of a central, hollow Quill that attaches to the bird's body. For flight feathers, each side of the quill (vane) has a series of slender, closely spaced barbs that interlock to form a continuous, flat surface. Plume feathers (e.g., Ostrich, Peacock) are less cohesive with unconnected barbs. Down feathers, obtained from young birds or the undergrowth of adult birds, are soft and lack barbs. Feathers naturally occur in a wide variety of colors pigmented with Melanin (black to yellow) and carotenoids (red and yellow). Most birds periodically drop feathers as part of a molting process. Feathers and quills have been used since ancient times for decoration, clothing, masks, and as writing utensils. The fashionable use of feathers in the 19th century directly resulted in several bird preservation laws (e.g. Eagle).

Feather fan
MFA# 1976.514

Synonyms and Related Terms

featherwork; feathers (pl.); fjer (Dan.); Feder (Deut.); pluma (Esp.); plume (Fr.); penna (It.); veer (Ned.); fjær (Nor.); pióra ptaka (Pol.); pena (Port.)

Risks

Many natural and synthetic colors in bird feathers are not lightfast.

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Insoluble in organic solvents.
  • Burns giving odor of burnt hair.
  • Becomes limp in boiling water.

Additional Images

Resources and Citations

  • O. Untracht, Jewelry Concepts and Technology, Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York, 1985.
  • The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Feather" Allyson Rae
  • Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
  • Oppi Untracht, Jewelry Concepts and Technology, Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York City, 1985