Module 9 Americas

 

 

Aztec feathered headdress, reproduction. Original: early 16th century, 

quetzal, cotinga, roseate spoonbill, piaya feathers, wood, fibers, amate paper, cotton, gold, and gilded brass

The head dress expressed in the photo is known as Penacho of Moctezuma II. Penacho translates to feather or plume, most likely to describe the headdress that belonged to Moctezuma II, who was an Aztec emperor in the 16^th century. The head dress itself was made by amantecas, they were people who stayed in the temple making these feathered head pieces. They were known as feather workers and were highly regarded in status. The piece itself was made from not only feathers but 450 feathers that could only be found on the male quetzal’s tail. The tail only holds up to three of these large feathers, and they can for the most part only be found at the time in the tropical forests of Central America.

 The headdress was than acquired by Hernan Cortes and sent to Europe. Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition of which was also accompanied by thousands of other indigenous allies to take down the Aztec Empire in 1521. Out of many of the things that was recovered by the Spanish the head dress was sent to Charles the 5^th. In the late 19^th century it was than given to the newly established museum of natural history in Austria where it was put on display. Cortes of course being the key director. Since than it has been past down to museum to museum. Today it sits in the Welt museum, where it has been put under a program that it working to restore the headdress in collaboration with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Over the past 10 years since its reconnection to Mexico, the Mexican people believe it should be returned. They argue that the headdress plays a large role in the Mexican indigenous indemnity. Activities have actively tried to get its return but have been reject by the Austrian authorities claiming that the transfer to Mexico would be too risky. Austria also argues that it should remain as the centerpiece to their museum. Even as of recently President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wanted to commemorate the 500^th year anniversary of the fall of the Aztec Empire in 2021 but feels in ways disappointed over the fact that he must ask for a loan of the headdress. Saying “The Austrians have completely taken control of the headdress,” at a news conference. Its apart of Mexican history and I do agree with the Mexican people that it should be returned. The fall of the Aztec Empire was the start of the Spanish conquer in which they built over the ruins. Austrians could argue that they also have history with the piece but in turns of identity and sensitive history it belongs to the Mexican citizens.

To get further information on the head piece and the back and forth of Mexico and Austria one can read “The Inbetweenness of the Vitrine: Three parerga of a feather headdress” by Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll 

Sources

Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank, and Dr. Beth Harris. “Aztec Feathered Headdress.” Smarthistory, n.d. https://smarthistory.org/feathered-headdress-aztec/.

“Mexico Asks Austria to Loan Precious Aztec-Era Headdress.” Reuters. Thomson Reuters, October 13, 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-austria-aztec/mexico-asks-austria-to-loan-precious-aztec-era-headdress-idUSKBN26Y2X0.

von Zinnenburg Carroll, Khadija. “The Inbetweenness of the Vitrine: Three Parerga of a Feather Headdress.” The Inbetweenness of Things : Materializing Mediation and Movement between Worlds, n.d. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474264792.ch-002.