Recent from talks
Conservation and restoration of feathers
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Conservation and restoration of feathers
The conservation and restoration of feathers is the practice of maintaining and preserving feathers or featherwork objects, and requires knowledge of feather anatomy, properties, specialized care procedures, and environmental influences. This practice may be approached through preventive and/or interventive techniques.
Although there are many different parts to a feather, all of the parts fall into two subsections of the feather. The two main sections of the feather are the shaft and the vane.
The shaft is composed of the calamus and the rachis. The calamus can also be called the quill and is the hollow portion of the shaft that enters the skin follicle, while the rachis is the solid portion of the shaft where the barbs attach.
The vane extends to either side of the rachis and is made up of interconnecting barbs, barbules, and "hooklets" known as hamuli. This is considered the most substantial portion of the feather.
Feathers found in museum collections are often part of composite objects, such as hats, fans, jewelry, and spiritual objects. Their use in collection items that may be in need of conservation or restoration include purposes such as:
Many of the issues contained in this section can be eliminated or reduced through the proper care instructions listed in the below preventive and interventive sections.
While birds are alive, they are susceptible to several different pests including lice and mites. In particular, "chewing lice" like Mallophaga can infest a living bird, feed on and degrade its feathers. Over 2500 species of mites are linked with birds, including those that live on feather plumage and within quill structures. Despite the seeming threat, some current research suggests that at least some mites may be beneficial to living birds (and their feathers) by consuming bacteria and fungi thereby creating a symbiotic relationship. Special sprays and soaps can kill these pests allowing the birds to regain feather growth and become healthy.
Because feathers are made largely of protein (keratin), they are a target for insects. Insects that like to eat protein based material will often feed on feathers causing serious damage including loss of feather material, burrowed or grazed surfaces, and frass. The most common threats come from the carpet beetle, hide beetles, larder beetles and clothing moths.
Hub AI
Conservation and restoration of feathers AI simulator
(@Conservation and restoration of feathers_simulator)
Conservation and restoration of feathers
The conservation and restoration of feathers is the practice of maintaining and preserving feathers or featherwork objects, and requires knowledge of feather anatomy, properties, specialized care procedures, and environmental influences. This practice may be approached through preventive and/or interventive techniques.
Although there are many different parts to a feather, all of the parts fall into two subsections of the feather. The two main sections of the feather are the shaft and the vane.
The shaft is composed of the calamus and the rachis. The calamus can also be called the quill and is the hollow portion of the shaft that enters the skin follicle, while the rachis is the solid portion of the shaft where the barbs attach.
The vane extends to either side of the rachis and is made up of interconnecting barbs, barbules, and "hooklets" known as hamuli. This is considered the most substantial portion of the feather.
Feathers found in museum collections are often part of composite objects, such as hats, fans, jewelry, and spiritual objects. Their use in collection items that may be in need of conservation or restoration include purposes such as:
Many of the issues contained in this section can be eliminated or reduced through the proper care instructions listed in the below preventive and interventive sections.
While birds are alive, they are susceptible to several different pests including lice and mites. In particular, "chewing lice" like Mallophaga can infest a living bird, feed on and degrade its feathers. Over 2500 species of mites are linked with birds, including those that live on feather plumage and within quill structures. Despite the seeming threat, some current research suggests that at least some mites may be beneficial to living birds (and their feathers) by consuming bacteria and fungi thereby creating a symbiotic relationship. Special sprays and soaps can kill these pests allowing the birds to regain feather growth and become healthy.
Because feathers are made largely of protein (keratin), they are a target for insects. Insects that like to eat protein based material will often feed on feathers causing serious damage including loss of feather material, burrowed or grazed surfaces, and frass. The most common threats come from the carpet beetle, hide beetles, larder beetles and clothing moths.
Recent media