Comments on: The Feather Book

The Feather Book

Gator — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:27:58 -0800

The Feather Book, digitized by and on display at McGill University: A seventeenth-century book containing illustrations of birds and men -- composed of real feathers, beaks, and claws. More information about the book and its contents and history can be read here.

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:31:51 -0800

Birds, men and pooping dogs, I see. The artistry and craftsmanship are most admirable, but some of the subject matter leaves something to be desired.

By: interrobang

interrobang — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:36:00 -0800

[this is really cool]

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:47:28 -0800

Gator, Fascinating post. Thank you. It's poignant to see images made of feathers. Of course I can't help thinking of the loss for the birds involved. It's also very interesting to see Italian folk art from Milan in 1618. It reminds me of African butterfly wing art, more.

By: cubby

cubby — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:56:53 -0800

this is amazing stuff, thanks! it got me to poking around about commedia dell'arte - there's some interesting background to the feather illustrations of the characters.

By: redsparkler

redsparkler — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:31:58 -0800

What an idea, and what an execution.

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:32:26 -0800

Really fascinating, but it kind of squicks me out. Ew. It's like those victorian pieces of hair art. Eeewww.

By: terrymiles

terrymiles — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:37:18 -0800

Its only a matter of time until Damien Hurst does it with bits of human, so move fast is what I say...Can I donate my auntie?

By: bokeh

bokeh — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:05:25 -0800

Fascinating stuff. It reminds me of the Derbyshire tradition of well dressing.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:32:36 -0800

cubby, Thanks for the excellent, concise background on Commedia del'Arte. Immediately, I thought of Shakespeare's plays and now understand that must have been his background. Googled it now my appetite is whetted, a bit more and Wikipedia's info.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 18:22:45 -0800

Lovely, reminds me of bug art.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:18:11 -0800

jessamyn, That bug art is amazing! Some geometric feather art.

By: cenoxo

cenoxo — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:45:40 -0800

Feather fashion: Captain Cook's Hawaiian Feather Cloak, 20,000 birds later.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:27:47 -0800

cenoxo, Wowee zowee, that was amazing. Here's a peach flame one from Hawaii and a contemporary feather cloak. A Maori warrior in his. A young Maori woman in hers. A feather frock.

By: Lizc

Lizc — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:56:33 -0800

Very very cool, thank you.