The item has been sold through an auction. - The most costly springtime of all time!
The top couple centimeters are white, while the rest varies from medium to dark brown. No sparkling shine embellishes this feather - but it is the most costly in existence! It was recently sold for over 26,000 euros at an auction in New Zealand, as reported by CNN.
The striking feature of this humble object is that it belongs to a bird believed extinct since 1907. A member of the wattlebird family, the huia, it was a favorite among many individuals who unknowingly played a part in its downfall and the demise of the species.
Huia feathers held great value for the Maori, with the white-tipped plumage used for special ceremonial headdresses. Only individuals of high ranking were permitted to wear these feathers in their hair.
The feathers were commonly exchanged for valuable goods, or given as tokens of friendship and respect. The Maori and European hunters relentlessly hunted the bird in the 19th century, supplying collectors and fashion dealers.
However, the final blow came when the Duke and Duchess of York were photographed wearing huia feathers on their hats during a visit to New Zealand in 1901. Soon after, each individual sought to possess other people's feathers, and the bird had become a relic of the past.
"This precious huia feather is a stunning representation of Aotearoa's natural history, reminding us of the vulnerability of our environment," stated Leah Morris, head of decorative arts at the Auckland-based auction house, in a press release.
Prior to the auction, all prospective buyers were required to secure a permit from the New Zealand Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Given its cultural importance, the feather could only be purchased by registered collectors, and it is not allowed to leave the country without permission from the Ministry.
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Source: symclub.org
