On September 2, 2018, the National Museum of Brazil (Museu Nacional) was gutted by fire. 2018 was the Museu Nacional’s 200th year.
This post is one of series in which I discuss an important specimens that may have been lost to science in the blaze.
In 1824, King Kamehameha II Liholiho of Hawaii gave Brazil’s emperor Dom Pedro, a feathered cloak (‘ahu ‘ula). Such cloaks were status symbols for the highest ranks of the ruling class of Hawaii.
Feathered cloaks are made from a woven netting that is decorated with brightly colored feathers. Though there remains over 100 examples of these cloaks worldwide, this particular cloak was lost to the fire at the Museu Nacional.
Read more and see pictures here:
Royal Hawaiian Feather Cloak Feared Lost in Brazil Museum Fire
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 