week 9

Feathered headdress, Aztec, reproduction (National Anthropology Museum, Mexico City). Original: early 16th century, quetzal, cotinga, roseate spoonbill, piaya feathers, wood, fibers, amate paper, cotton, gold, and gilded brass, Aztec, Mexico, (World Museum, Vienna)


The headdress is also known as the Penacho of Moctezuma II.  We believe that is was an object sent from Mesoamerica to Europe by Hernan Cortes, but it is unknown if the headdress itself belonged to Moctezuma II.  In the late nineteenth century, Austria established its first museum of natural history.  The headdress a was found in Ambras Castle, and now it has been displayed in the ethnology museum in Vienna.  

The headdress has become an important touchstone for Mexican national and indigenous people, and many Mexicans believe that it should be returned.  Representatives of Mexico have made continuous requests for the headdress the be returned, but denied due to it being risky to send a fragile object over seas.  Even though there wasn't a way to send the headdress back safely, the exhibition granted free access to Mexican citizens.  

I believe that the headdress is in a safe location, and it should remain where it is being preserved.  The significance within this headdress is that it captures the Aztecs empire.  Seeing this as a luxury item that was worn.  In a lot of Aztec art there is many aspects of the headdress.  The entirety of the costume meant a lot to the Aztec people and what their culture was.  The people who made this kind of head dress lived in a special quarter within the capital.  They are called amanteca (feather workers). This piece has significance to the Mexican citizens and should have every right to have the return of an item, but I also believe that if the item is preserved then let it remain that way.  Communicate actions with the people of Mexico and make this piece remain maintained for new generations to learn.

Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris, "Aztec feathered headdress," in Smarthistory, August 10, 2015, accessed March 21, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/feathered-headdress-aztec/.

Comments

  1. Caira LessickMarch 24, 2021 at 3:52 PM

    I understand your opinion to keep the headdress where it is, however, I disagree. Just because it may be risky to transport the headdress, doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. I believe that the headdress should be returned for its cultural value. The people of Mexico deserve to view the creations and traditions of their ancestors. It makes sense to observe a work of art from where it originated from.

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