Featherwork in Early and Medieval China

It may state two separate claims as one.

Alongside featherwork as luxury, there was a long-standing tradition of wearing feather robes for religious practices, particularly Daoist ones.

“At the same time as featherwork was regarded as a luxury product, often made with feathers of exotic birds, there was also a long-standing tradition of wearing feather robes for religious practices, particularly those associated with Daoism.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Deconstructionist featherwork involved peeling apart barbs of individual feathers and spinning them with a silk core to create feather thread, which was then woven into cloth.

“deconstructionist featherwork, whereby the barbs of individual feathers were peeled apart and then spun with a silk core to create a feather thread, which was then woven into cloth.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In flexible base featherwork, feathers are attached to a surface that allows movement, used for clothing or items requiring flexibility such as curtains and bedclothes.

“In flexible base featherwork, as the name implies, feathers are attached to a surface that allows for movement, a technique whereby feathers can be used for the decoration of clothing or other items that require some flexibility, such as curtains, bedclothes, and so on.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Feathers were required in vast quantities to ornament clothing and decorate imperial palaces, and the scale of bird hunting in this period should not be underestimated.

“The scale of bird hunting in this period should not be underestimated; feathers were required in vast quantities to ornament the clothing and decorate the palaces of members of the imperial house.”

• cites [17]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

A description attributed to the Xijing zaji says the Warm Room Hall had pepper plaster walls, embroidered tapestries, cassia-wood pillars, precious stone screens, wild swan feather hangings, and Jibin carpets.

“The Warm Room [Hall] has walls of pepper plaster, and is hung with embroidered [tapestries], with cassia-wood pillars, screens of precious stones, hangings of wild swans' feathers, and the floor covered with carpets from Jibin [Cashmere].”

• cites [19]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Medieval writings on featherwork often give the impression that the items were monochrome, with other colors added using different materials.

“Medieval writings on featherwork, as in this description, often give the impression that they were monochrome, with other colors added using different materials.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Exotic birds such as kingfishers, parrots, and pheasants were traded across the empire to create these works of art.

“exotic birds-kingfishers, parrots, pheasants, and so on-were traded across the empire to create these wonderful works of art.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Chinese armies required vast amounts of feathers, some for arrow fletchings and some ornamental such as helmet plumes, which also marked rank.

“Throughout history, Chinese armies required vast amounts of feathers.Some of this was for weapons, since the fletchings of arrows were made with feathers; other uses were ornamental, such as plumes on helmets-though these feathers also served as a marker of rank.”

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Wearing feather robes or cloaks with religious connotations, made from crane feathers, was apparently never criticized as extravagant, unlike virtually all other kinds of Chinese featherwork.

“It is also striking that wearing feather robes or cloaks with religious connotations-that is, those made from crane feathers-was apparently never criticized as extravagant, unlike virtually all other kinds of Chinese featherwork.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

King Ling of Chu wore a cloak made of kingfisher feathers while on campaign, striking fear and awe into those who saw him.

“This account described King Ling of Chu 楚靈王 (r.541-529 bCe), whose title as monarch was not recognized by the Zhou kings of the Central States, out on campaign striking fear and awe into all who saw him dressed in his cloak of kingfisher feathers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The historical and literary texts cited accurately describe real featherwork objects and practices rather than only rhetorical or poetic topoi.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Featherwork was produced in vast quantities in early and medieval China to satisfy demand for luxurious and brightly colored items.

“Featherwork was produced in vast quantities in early and medieval China to satisfy demand for these luxurious and brightly colored items”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Tang dynasty accounts indicate that on full-dress occasions soldiers wore capes made from a wide variety of bird feathers and, with feather-ornamented equipment, would have been astonishingly brightly colored.

“Accounts of the appearance of the military in the Tang dynasty indicate that a full-dress occasion saw soldiers dressed in capes made from a wide variety of different bird feathers, and that with their feather-ornamented equipment, they would have been astonishingly brightly colored.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

This feather thread could be used as an accent in woven brocades or woven into a whole garment.

“This could then be used as an accent or highlight in woven brocades, or it could be woven to produce an entire garment.57”

• cites [57]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

In the Hou Han shu, the Grand Dowager Empress and Dowager Empress wore dark robes and striking jewels, including hairpins with a sculpted phoenix whose feathers were made of kingfisher feathers.

“with a sculpted phoenix on top, with its feathers made of kingfisher feathers, and pearls below, together with pendant decorations made of gold.”

• cites [49]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Deconstructionist featherwork appears unique to China.

“Finally, in the case of deconstructionist featherwork, a tra- dition that appears to be unique to China, individual barbs were peeled apart and then spun into thread, after which they were woven into cloth.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Feather artworks can be preserved for up to five centuries with exceptional care and luck, but no written records from Pacific islands or Latin America significantly predate earliest surviving examples.

“With exceptional care and good luck, it has proved possible to preserve feather artworks for up to five centuries, but there are no written records concerning featherwork from the relevant cultures of the Pacific islands or in Latin America that significantly predate the earliest surviving examples.”

• cites [8]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Plume fans were widespread in the medieval period, but literary references almost always mention white feathers, usually from cranes or wild swans when the bird is named.

“Plume fans were common throughout the medieval period, though references in literature are almost exclusively to white feathers being used for this purpose; when the bird from which the feathers were derived is specified, it is usually the crane or the wild swan.47”

• cites [47]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Chinese records preserve accounts of featherwork thousands of years earlier, though such delicate works could not have survived.

“On the other hand Chinese records preserve accounts of featherwork that are thousands of years earlier, but where it is simply impossible that such delicate and fragile decorative works could have survived.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The absence of surviving early Chinese featherwork is due to the fragility of the objects rather than to the accounts being fictional or exaggerated.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Xijing zaji says that Zhao Zhaoyi gave her sister a kingfisher-feather fan, also described in some accounts as a pheasant-feather fan, to mark her sister's appointment as empress.

“The Xijing zaji further states that to celebrate her sister's appointment as empress, Zhao Zhaoyi presented her with a vast array of lavish gifts, one of which was a “kingfisher-feather fan” (cuiyu shan 翠羽扇); also given in some accounts as a “pheasant-feather fan” (zhaiyu shan 翟羽扇).46”

• cites [46]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Three extant rigid-base featherwork screens are preserved in the Shōsōin in Japan, even though featherwork of this kind normally would not survive for many centuries.

“Although the survival of featherwork beyond a few centuries is normally considered impossible for such delicate biodegradable material, there are three remarkable extant screens-thus rigid base featherwork-preserved in the Shōsōin 正倉院 in Japan.55”

• cites [55]Not matched

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• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Featherwork made from delicate biodegradable material normally cannot survive for more than a few centuries.

It may state two separate claims as one.

During the twentieth century, vast quantities of featherwork were destroyed, partly by accident or poor care and partly by changing attitudes about acceptable materials and authenticity.

“during the course of the twentieth century truly vast quantities of featherwork were destroyed.Some of this was the result of accidental loss or poor care, but changing attitudes toward what constitutes acceptable materials for artworks to be made from have also caused neglect or destruction of featherwork, as has the perception that feather artworks showing (or perceived to show) cross-cultural”

• cites [9]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

The Xijing zaji passage names neither the emperor nor a brush maker known from other sources, so the story cannot be assigned to a specific reign.

“In this instance, the text does not specify the emperor or emperors concerned, and although the maker of the brushes is named, this individual is not recorded in any other text, making the tale impossible to contextualize in any specific reign.”

• cites [42]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Crown Prince Xiao Zhangmao is said to have designed a spectacular cloak woven from peacock feathers.

“The Crown Prince, who seems to have been noted for his extravagance, is said to have designed a spectacular garment for himself, woven from peacock feathers.”

• cites [61]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Feather-thread rainwear is well attested in late imperial literature, and surviving examples demonstrate the exceptional skill of its makers.

“The production of feather-thread rainwear is well attested in late imperial literature, and extant examples attest to the superlative skill of those who produced such remarkable items.58”

• cites [58]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Medieval literary descriptions of such jewels are abundant, including Cao Zhi's goddess wearing gold and blue kingfisher head jewels and Ding Yi's woman wearing gold and kingfisher filigree ornaments.

“Medieval descriptions of this kind of jewel abound; for example, in the “Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo River” (“Luoshen fu” 洛 神賦) by Cao Zhi 曹植 (192-232), the goddess is said to “wear on her head jewels of gold and blue kingfisher feathers” 戴金翠之首飾.53”

• cites [53]Not matched

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• cites [54]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Two Shōsōin screens carry calligraphic inscriptions in different script forms, with seal-script characters in feathers and clerical-script characters in paint; one has an orange paper ground and the other a green one.

“Two consist of calligraphic inscriptions, duplicated in different script forms, with the seal script characters in feathers, and painted clerical script characters in paint.One of these screens has an orange paper ground; the other uses green paper.”

• cites [55]Not matched

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• cites [56]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

The cloth produced by deconstructionist featherwork combined beautiful coloring with waterproofing, making it desirable for rainwear worn by ruling elite.

“The remarkable garments produced by this technique combined the beautiful coloring of the original feathers with the quality of waterproofing, making this cloth highly desirable for rainwear to be worn by members of the ruling elite.”

• cites [7]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

All three Shōsōin screens were made from feathers of the copper pheasant and the green pheasant, both species native to Japan.

“All three were made from feathers from the copper pheasant (Syrmaticus soemmerringii) and the green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor); both species endemic to Japan.”

• cites [55]Not matched

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• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The copper pheasant and the green pheasant are endemic to Japan.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Hou Han shu describes the empress's buyao as having a gold mountain peak, pearl fringes, six beasts whose fur was made of kingfisher feathers, and kingfisher-feather floral designs.

“All the sculpted animals had their “fur” made of kingfisher feathers.On the gold peak, white pearls formed meander patterns, with kingfisher-feather floral designs.”

• cites [51]Not matched

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• cites [52]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Jin shu records Xie Wan appearing before Emperor Jianwen in a white silk hat, a cloak made from crane feathers (or crane and golden pheasant feathers, or woven crane feathers), and wooden clogs; whether the garment was woven is unclear.

“Wan came forward wearing a white silk hat, and a cloak made from crane feathers [alternatively, “a cloak made from crane and golden pheasant feathers,” or “a woven cloak of crane feathers”], and wooden clogs.59”

• cites [59]Not matched

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• cites [60]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

Anle Princess ordered the Imperial Manufactory to weave two skirts from the feathers of many birds; the skirts changed color when viewed from different angles and in different light, and the shapes of different birds could be seen.

“The Anle Princess ordered the Imperial Manufactory to use feathers from many different birds to weave the fabric for two skirts.Looking straight on it was one color; looking at it sideways it was another color; looking at it in the sunshine it was yet another color; and in the shade it was a different color again.Furthermore, the shapes of each different kind of bird could be seen.”

• cites [63]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Mass of St. Gregory is an experimental Christian subject in traditional Aztec feather mosaic style, with different feathers glued to paper and cut into elements for a shaded feather painting.

“This highly experimental work represents an attempt to convey a Christian subject, familiarized to the Mexican audience by European woodcuts, in traditional Aztec feather mosaic style, with different feathers glued to paper and then cut into appropriate elements to be assembled into a finely shaded “feather painting.””

• cites [62]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

After Anle Princess made these feather skirts, many nobles and wealthy families copied the fashion, and rare bird feathers and animal fur from the Yangtze delta and Lingnan regions were collected almost to extinction.

“After she made these feather skirts, many nobles and rich families imitated this [fashion], and the feathers and fur from the rare birds and exotic beasts of the Yangtze delta and Ling[nan] regions were collected almost to the point of extinction.”

• cites [63]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim.

The paper divides early and medieval Chinese featherwork accounts into flexible base, rigid base, and deconstructionist types.

“this paper divides these accounts by technical criterion into flexible base featherwork (clothing, curtains, hangings, and coverlets); rigid base featherwork (boxes, architectural detailing, jewelry, and screens); and most remarkably of all, deconstructionist featherwork”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The three technical categories of flexible base, rigid base, and deconstructionist adequately classify early and medieval Chinese featherwork despite the sources' lack of technical detail.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Kingfisher species in China, including common and ruddy kingfishers, have very restricted ranges, located entirely in coastal provinces and concentrated in the south.

“to this day, kingfisher species-including both the common and the ruddy kingfisher-are very restricted in range in China, being located entirely in coastal provinces and particularly concentrated in the south.”

• cites [15]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

The Zuozhuan description most likely refers to two different garments, the futao and the cuibei, because later Han accounts mention emperors wearing kingfisher-feather cloaks.

“It is most likely that this description does in fact refer to two different garments, particularly since there are later accounts of Han dynasty emperors wearing kingfisher-feather cloaks.”

• cites [11]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Speculation about Chinese impact ignores the extremely long tradition of featherwork within Chinese culture, with records going back over 2,500 years.

“Such speculation ignores the extremely long tradition of featherwork within Chinese culture, with records going back over 2,500 years.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Such religious feather items were likely very expensive to produce, yet could be presented as essential to an unworldly lifestyle withdrawn from mundane cares.

“Such items are likely to have been very expensive to produce, and yet they could be presented as an essential element in an unworldly lifestyle, withdrawn from mundane cares.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Some modern scholars suggest that feicui may refer to two kingfisher species, likely the common kingfisher and the ruddy kingfisher.

“some modern scholars have suggested that two different species of kingfisher might be involved, most likely the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and the ruddy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda).”

• cites [14]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The bright color and enormous expense of King Ling's kingfisher cloak would have made him highly visible and impressed observers.

“The bright color of this garment must have rendered King Ling highly visible, and the enormous expense of acquiring the vast number of feathers required must also have struck all who saw him”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

References to wearing feather garments in winter indicate that such items were not only brightly colored but also light, warm, and waterproof.

“The constant references to wearing feather garments in winter reminds us that these items would be not just brightly colored, but also light, warm, and waterproof.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Crane-feather cloaks were likely made from comparatively long feathers and would have had more movement than garments made from tiny feathers such as kingfisher feathers, ruffling in even a slight breeze.

“Such crane-feather cloaks are likely to have been made from comparatively long feathers, and as such, would have had more movement than garments made from tiny feathers such as those from kingfishers, ruffling in even the slightest breeze.”

• cites [39]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

The reference to swan-feather hangings makes the Han palace account exceptional, because kingfisher-feather curtains and soft hangings are commonly mentioned in early imperial and medieval literature and seem emblematic of luxurious elite lifestyle.

“It is the unusual reference to hangings made from swan feathers that makes this account of the Han dynasty palace exceptional, since curtains or other kinds of soft hangings ornamented with kingfisher feathers are commonly mentioned throughout early imperial and medieval literature, and seem to have been considered emblematic of the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the rich and privileged.”

• cites [20]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

It is unclear whether the pheasant-head cloak was made by removing tiny feathers and gluing or tufting them onto fabric, or by curing skins and stitching them together; either technique would have been challenging.

“It is not clear whether such a cloak was made by removing the tiny feathers from the heads of pheasants and then gluing or tufting them onto a fabric ground, or by curing the skins and then stitching them together, but either technique would have posed significant challenges.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The kingfisher-feather cloak worn by King Ling of Chu was likely a local product, while the feather robe was said to come from Qin.

“while the feather robe worn by King Ling of Chu is said to have come from Qin, the kingfisher-feather cloak is likely to have been a local product.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

This impression of monochrome featherwork is not necessarily correct, because some medieval literature refers to multicolored featherwork.

“This impression is, however, not necessarily correct, since there are some references to multicolored featherwork in medieval literature.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Because kingfishers are small, decorating even a tiny fan would have required feathers from many birds and the highest level of skill.

“Since kingfishers are so small, to ornament even the tiniest fan would have required the feathers of many birds, and the skills required for making such an object-particularly one destined for use by the empress-would have been of the very highest.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Kingfishers are small birds.

It may state two separate claims as one.

A pheasant-feather fan, like other plume fans, would have involved attaching large feathers to a handle, a simpler form in which the feathers themselves make up the fan body.

“However, like other plume fans, a pheasant-feather fan would involve attaching large feathers to a handle-this is a much simpler form of featherwork in which the feathers themselves form the body of the fan.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Shōsōin screens offer a rare view of medieval East Asian featherwork and help viewers imagine palace interiors of the period as spaces filled with feathers.

“These screens provide a unique opportunity to view medieval East Asian featherwork, and allow the viewer to begin to imagine the way in which palace interiors of the period were feathered spaces.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The detailed account of the peacock-feather cloak's production suggests that the technique was unfamiliar to medieval readers and may have been newly created around that time.

“Furthermore, from the fact that such a specific account is given of its production, this technique can be assumed to be unfamiliar to medieval readers, and may indeed have been first created at around this time:”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The pairing of kingfisher feathers and gold carried strong associations with luxury, beauty, wealth, and power, so such jewels remained prized for more than two thousand years.

“The combination of kingfisher feathers and gold would carry such powerful connotations of luxury, beauty, wealth, and power that such jewels continued to be prized for more than two thousand years.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The high price given for the box and brush in the Xijing zaji underscores the great luxury surrounding Han emperors.

“However, the vast price specified for both the box and the brush emphasize the enormous luxury surrounding Han dynasty emperors.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Many links connecting ancient and contemporary featherworking traditions may already have been lost, which makes early Chinese descriptions of their cultural heritage even more valuable.

“As a result, many links in the chain connecting ancient and contemporary featherworking traditions may already have been lost, but this serves to render early Chinese descriptions of their own cultural heritage even more valuable.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

In antiquity, featherwork was likely considered a royal craft in the Chinese world; the earliest surviving account is King Ling of Chu wearing a kingfisher feather cape on a snowy day in 530 BCE.

“In antiquity, it is likely that featherwork was considered a royal craft in the Chinese world; the earliest surviving account is that of King Ling of Chu wearing his kingfisher feather cape on a snowy day in 530 bCe.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

As awareness that high-status people in China wore feathers faded, knowledge of this important East Asian featherworking tradition was lost.

“However, as the understanding that persons of high social standing in China wore feathers has faded, knowledge about this important East Asian featherworking tradition has been lost.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although the masterpieces made by Chinese featherworkers have not survived, their skill can be appreciated through descriptions preserved in historical and literary accounts.

“Although the masterpieces produced by Chinese featherworkers have not survived, we can appreciate something of their skill through the descriptions preserved in historical and literary accounts.64”

• cites [64]Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

By ignoring these accounts of Chinese featherwork, scholars have lost a sense of how brightly colored the world of the early imperial and medieval elite was.

“By ignoring these accounts of Chinese featherwork, scholars have lost the sense of how brightly colored the world of the early imperial and medieval elite really was.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Although deconstructionist featherwork continued to be made for the rich and noble, a fabric as technically complex and expensive as the Anle Princess skirts may never have been reproduced.

“Although deconstructionist featherwork continued to be produced for use by the rich and noble, a fabric of such staggering technical complexity and appalling expense may well never have been reproduced.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Given the high cost of the feathers and the novelty of the work, personal involvement by a member of the ruling elite in the Mass of St. Gregory is not unreasonable.

“Given the extortionate price of the necessary feathers, and the fact that an entirely new kind of work had to be carried out with them, the personal involvement of a member of the ruling elite is not unreasonable.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Over time, more people acquired feather garments and ornaments, until by the Tang dynasty the army paraded through the palace on festival days in feather cloaks of many colors and bird feathers.

“However, over time, more and more people acquired feather garments and ornaments, until by the Tang dynasty, the army would parade through the palace on festival days dressed in feather cloaks: red, white, yellow, blue, black, and multicolored, as well as those produced from the feathers of wild ducks, peacocks, parrots, and chickens.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Highly prized feathers from exotic birds were transported long distances to meet demand, and the most extravagant customers insisted on feathers from only one part of the bird.

“Highly prized feathers from exotic birds were transported vast distances to satisfy demand, and the most extravagant customers would insist on only using feathers from one particular part of the bird.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Because any shot fabric produces a changeable iridescent effect, using naturally sheeny feather threads would significantly heighten the colorful impression of such a garment.

“Given that any shot fabric will produce an interesting changeable and iridescent effect, the use of feather threads, with a natural sheen, would significantly heighten the colorful impression of such a garment.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Any shot fabric produces an interesting changeable and iridescent effect.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The most elaborate and expensive featherwork items were likely always reserved for imperial use.

“The most elaborate and expensive items are likely always to have been kept for imperial use.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In their use of feathers, the Chinese elite were theoretically similar to many Pacific cultures, but in practice featherwork was exceptionally widely consumed in the Chinese world.

“In living surrounded by feathers they were in theory no different from many other cultures across the Pacific region; however, in practice, featherwork seems to have been exceptionally widely consumed within the Chinese world.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

They slept under kingfisher-feather coverlets encrusted with pearls and had feather-covered curtains in their bedchambers.

“When they lay down to sleep, it was underneath coverlets of kingfisher feathers encrusted with pearls, and their privacy was ensured in their bedchambers by feather-covered curtains.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Mass-produced military cloaks likely used comparatively limited-skill techniques such as gluing, while other early and medieval Chinese featherwork was made by highly skilled workers who could spend months or years on a single fragile piece.

“Although the mass production of cloaks for the military must have involved techniques requiring comparatively limited skill like gluing, other early and medieval Chinese featherwork was clearly produced by highly skilled workers, who could take many months, if not years, to produce a single piece in such a fragile medium.64”

• cites [64]Not matched

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It may state two separate claims as one.

In early and medieval China, the ruling elite sometimes wore brightly colored feathered robes and lived in mansions decorated with feather hangings.

“In early and medieval China, the ruling elite sometimes wore brightly colored feathered robes, and they lived in mansions adorned with hangings ornamented with yet more plumes.”