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Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
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Three Plumes
Chimú 13th–15th century
Said to have been found at Chan Chan, north coast
Wood, camelid hair, vegetal fiber, feathers; H. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
American Museum of Natural History, New York (B/3167, 3168, 3169)
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Some of the finest surviving featherwork from Peru was done by Chimú artisans. These perfectly preserved plumes or fans were reportedly found with seven other luxury items wrapped in a cloth at the site of Chan Chan, the renowned capital of the powerful Chimú kingdom on the outskirts of the modern town of Trujillo, on the north coast. Built entirely of sun-dried mud bricks, the sprawling city had several royal compounds where deceased kings were buried with lavish offerings, including fine textiles, beadwork, and grand ornaments in gold and silver. These fancy plumes could have been part of an elaborate headdress but more likely were held as staffs. The long tail feathers of parrots are neatly wrapped with red yarn and fastened to the flat wood handles. The green feathers are naturally colored, while the yellowish red color was obtained through a process known as tapirage.
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