Nazca Feather Plume with Orange Parrot Feathers | 100–700 AD

In the ancient Americas, skilled artisans created luxurious objects reserved for the esteemed and the sacred. These were not merely ornaments—they were embodiments of cultural identity and cosmological significance, crafted from materials deemed the most precious by their respective civilizations. Among the Olmec and Maya, jade surpassed even gold in value, while in the Andes, the Incas and their predecessors held feathers and finely woven textiles in the highest regard. Such objects were integral to ceremonial regalia, associated with divine power, social rank, and ancestral legacy.

This exquisite Nazca plume exemplifies the refined artistry and symbolic potency of featherwork on the ancient South Coast of Peru. Composed of vivid orange parrot feathers meticulously braided into a foundation of vegetable fiber, the plume retains remarkable color saturation and structural integrity—hallmarks of its exceptional preservation. Measuring 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) in height, this piece is a superb example of high-status adornment from the Nazca culture, ca. 100–700 A.D.

Feather ornaments of this kind were often incorporated into headdresses or placed directly on the heads of the deceased, signaling the individual’s elevated status or spiritual role. It is also likely that such plumes were worn by priests or elite dignitaries during ritual ceremonies, perhaps as part of a larger costume ensemble imbued with symbolic meaning.

Condition: Choice. The feathers remain brightly colored, and the vegetable fiber braid is intact and excellently preserved—a rare and desirable state for such a delicate and ancient item.

Provenance: Ex Bill Freeman Estate Collection, Scottsdale, AZ. & NM., acquired 1960s-1980s

Measures: 5.5”/13.97 cm by 3.5”/8.89 cm. Comes in a front-loading display case, approx. 7.5”/19.05 cm tall.