Recently, a feather from the extinct Huia bird from New Zealand was auctioned for over 46,000 New Zealand dollars at an auction house in Auckland, setting a record for the world’s “most expensive feather”.
The feather, measuring 20.5 centimeters long and 4.5 centimeters wide, is predominantly brown with a white tip. Initially estimated by Webb’s Auction House to be worth between 2,000 to 3,000 New Zealand dollars, after 59 rounds of bidding, it was finally sold at a whopping price of 46,521 New Zealand dollars (approximately 28,365 US dollars), marking a 450% increase from the previous record. In 2010, a Huia bird feather was sold for 8,400 New Zealand dollars.
According to data from the gold spot market, this feather is even more expensive than gold. Calculated by its weight of approximately 9 grams, it has an average value of 5,169 New Zealand dollars per gram, while gold is priced at around 123 New Zealand dollars per gram, making it over forty times more valuable than gold.
It is worth mentioning that this feather has been registered by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage as a “true treasure” (Maori: taonga tūturu), meaning only collectors with a license for such items can purchase it, and it cannot be taken out of the country without permission.
The Huia bird, the largest of the five species of native New Zealand wattlebirds, is known for its melodious song and long black tail feathers with white tips. According to information from the New Zealand Museum, the bird was last sighted in 1907, with some unconfirmed sightings reported in the following 20 to 30 years.
In Maori culture, the Huia bird feather holds great symbolic significance, representing nobility and dignity. Its feathers are often used to create headdresses for ceremonial purposes, but only chiefs and esteemed Maori individuals are qualified to wear them.
With the arrival of Europeans in New Zealand, their fervent demand for the bird’s feathers led to the extinction of this already rare species.
According to the New Zealand Museum, Huia bird feathers were “the object of collectors,” with affluent families using them as fashionable decorations. There was a time when hats adorned with Huia bird feathers were all the rage.
Leah Morris, the head of decorative arts at Webb’s Auction House, believes that the exceptional condition of the feather played a significant role in its high selling price. The auction house has framed the feather with UV-resistant glass and high-quality archival paper, ensuring its long-term preservation.
“Being one of New Zealand’s iconic bird species, the Huia bird has feathers with minimal undulations, still retaining their unique sheen, rich browns, and iridescent colors, showing no signs of insect damage,” Morris said.
Regarding the source and history of the feather, little is known, and due to confidentiality agreements, Morris could not disclose information about the supplier or buyer. However, she mentioned that they are registered collectors in New Zealand.