Welcome to the Penn Museum blog. First launched in January 2009, the Museum blog now has over 800 posts covering a range of topics in the categories of Museum, Collection, Exhibitions, Research, and By Location. Here you’ll hear directly from our staff and Penn students about their work, research, experiences, and discoveries. To explore the Museum's other digital content, visit The Digital Penn Museum.
Hawaiian Feather Cloak [Object of the Day #14]
By: Amy Ellsworth
Cloak consisting of bundles of red and yellow feathers tied in overlapping rows to a netted foundation of plant fiber. Such cloaks were items of aristocratic regalia, worn by only the highest ranking noble men in ancient Hawaii. They were signifiers of rank, and provided sacred protection in battle. It is thought that originally these […]