Investigating Structurally and Pigmentary Colored Featherworks via Noninvasive Methodologies

Feathers and featherworks are a traditionally less studied area within cultural heritage and offer a diverse range of coloring mechanisms, as the color can originate from pigments, structural colorants, or a combination of the two. In this study, a set of objects fabricated via tian-tsui, a craft utilizing kingfisher feathers to create complex designs, was investigated using a multianalytical approach that aided in material characterization and identification, ranging from adhesive and gilding materials to bird species and pigments. Notably, this work includes the first analysis and characterization of feathers and structural colorants using hyperspectral imaging techniques. By integrating spectroscopic and imaging methodologies, we show how a multimodal approach can reveal complex hybrid color systems and establish a framework for studying light-material interactions in organic and inorganic composites, highlighting the importance of understanding feather colorant properties to generate a comprehensive examination of objects' materiality. Furthermore, the concepts explored provide new insights into the development of methodologies for systematically investigating featherworks and into how biological nanostructures contribute to color, advancing nondestructive strategies for heritage science and broader applications across materials science fields such as photonics, optics, and biomimetic design.