The intricate artistry of the Wari Empire's feathered masterpieces
Discover the painstaking process behind the Wari Feathered Panels. This video follows scholar Carol Rodríguez and conservator Christine Giuntini as they explore how tens of thousands of vibrant macaw feathers were hand-knotted to create these ancient Peruvian treasures.
Discovered in 1943 within the Churunga Valley of Peru, a cache of approximately ninety-six feather panels was found rolled inside ceramic jars at the Corral Redont ceremonial center. These artifacts, dating from 600–900 CE, showcase extraordinary craftsmanship. Each panel features tens of thousands of feathers, primarily sourced from the blue-and-yellow macaw of the Amazonian rainforest.
The construction of these pieces involved a meticulous technique where feathers were individually hand-knotted onto cotton strings, which were then stitched onto plain-weave cotton panels. While nine of these panels are currently displayed in the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, researchers believe they may have originally served as adornments for building walls.
Source: Installing the Wari Feathered Panels, 600–900 CE
