A single feather of the now extinct New Zealand huia bird has set a world record after being sold for $28,417 at an auction. The BBC is reporting that the feather broke the previous record, which was for a feather of the same species by 450%. The Webb’s Auction House says the huia bird was sacred to the Māori people and their feathers were often worn as headpieces by chiefs and their families and also gifted or traded.
The last confirmed sighting was in 1907, but unconfirmed sightings were reported for twenty to thirty years after that. The huia was a small songbird of the wattlebird family in New Zealand and was known for its jumping abilities and beautiful plumage, which is distinct for the white tip across the edge. Leah Morris, Head of Decorative Arts at Webb’s Auction House, told the BBC that the feather is “in wonderful condition and still has its very distinct sheen to it, and there is no insect damage”.
She adds that the auction house framed the item behind UV protective glass and with archival paper, which means it will have a “really long life”. The feather is registered as a taonga tūturu under a system to protect Maori made objects. Only collectors who have a licence in the system were allowed to purchase it, and it can not leave the country without permission from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Collectors say high interest and enthusiasm from New Zealanders also helped boost the price.
In the past, the huia feathers were a status mark for Māori people. Already a rare bird before the arrival of Europeans, the species became a target for collectors and fashion merchants after it gained popularity amongst those who came to New Zealand, which led to its extinction.
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