ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Nelly Saunier Revives the Art of Featherwork in French Exhibitions

exhibition · 2026-08-28

In France, the age-old craft of featherwork, known as plumasserie, is experiencing a resurgence, largely due to the efforts of master artisan Nelly Saunier. Her creations can be seen at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac and the Château de Josselin. Saunier, who has been working with feathers for over 40 years, found her passion at the age of 14. She has revitalized this nearly forgotten art by partnering with high-end brands such as Gucci, Louboutin, and Hermès. Her workshop boasts a six-meter-high 'plumothéque' containing 350 feather boxes, and she employs five traditional tools while also innovating her own techniques. Her exhibition 'Nelly Saunier x Jardins' is open until August 31, 2026, and 'Plumes du Paradis' until November 8, 2026.

Key facts

  • Nelly Saunier is a master artisan in featherwork (plumasserie).
  • Her works are exhibited at Château de Josselin (Brittany) until August 31, 2026.
  • Her works are exhibited at Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac (Paris) until November 8, 2026.
  • She has been practicing featherwork for over 40 years.
  • Her workshop contains a 6-meter-high 'plumothéque' with 350 boxes of feathers.
  • Clients include Gucci, Louboutin, Hermès, Givenchy, and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
  • She uses five traditional tools: sharp knife, blunt knife, scissors, ruler, and pliers.
  • She creates 'natures transformées' incorporating natural objects like petrified wood and pebbles.

Entities

Artists

  • Nelly Saunier

Institutions

  • Château de Josselin
  • Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
  • Gucci
  • Louboutin
  • Hermès
  • Givenchy
  • Jean-Paul Gaultier

Locations

  • Brittany
  • France
  • Paris

Sources