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 piece of art pictured above is a stunning work of Aztec art. This piece is a magnificent headdress made of feathers and gold that was believed to be worn by Moctezuma II. This elegant work of craftsmanship has been the topic of conflict recently. Throughout this post we will indulge in the wonders of this piece of art, the conflict surrounding it, how it wound up half way around the world, and some of the arguments that have successfully delayed and or prevented its return to its home country. This piece of Aztec history should be returned to ins home region in Mexico City because it was obtained in ways that do not justify it being withheld half way across the globe and because the piece does not hold the cultural significance that it would in its region of origination.
This colorful and elaborate headdress current resides in a museum in Vienna, Austria, but is originally from the Aztec civilization in Central America. One may wonder, what is a piece like this doing so far from where it originated? In my own personal opinion, this piece should be returned to its place of origin because it is pieces like this that symbolize what these cultures use to be and its ceremonial importance to the Aztecs. A piece as significant as this should be displayed near where it originated, I believe this gives the art more value.
The piece of art pictured above is a stunning work of Aztec art. This piece is a magnificent headdress made of feathers and gold that was believed to be worn by Moctezuma II. This elegant work of craftsmanship has been the topic of conflict recently. Throughout this post we will indulge in the wonders of this piece of art, the conflict surrounding it, how it wound up half way around the world, and some of the arguments that have successfully delayed and or prevented its return to its home country. This piece of Aztec history should be returned to ins home region in Mexico City because it was obtained in ways that do not justify it being withheld half way across the globe and because the piece does not hold the cultural significance that it would in its region of origination.
This colorful and elaborate headdress current resides in a museum in Vienna, Austria, but is originally from the Aztec civilization in Central America. One may wonder, what is a piece like this doing so far from where it originated? In my own personal opinion, this piece should be returned to its place of origin because it is pieces like this that symbolize what these cultures use to be and its ceremonial importance to the Aztecs. A piece as significant as this should be displayed near where it originated, I believe this gives the art more value.
This feathered headdress is now on display in Austria, but how did it end up half way across the globe from where it originated? This piece was believed to have been taken back to Europe by Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs. in the late 19th century the headdress was found by von Hochstetter in Ambras Castle, the former residence of Archduke Ferdinand. Since that point in time the feathered headdress has been on display in the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria. There have been many attempts to return the headdress to its cultural origin but they have all failed. The Austrian authorities have continuously refused to officially allow the return of the headdress on the grounds that the piece is too fragile to make the journey across the Atlantic ocean.
This headdress is significant in a variety of ways. The use of quetzal feathers signifies long distance trade that occurred within the Aztec empire and the surrounding areas. Many of these feathers were obtained as tribute items from cities that they conquered to grow the empire. It is believed that this headdress may have been worn as part of an elaborate costume worn during rituals and performances. This piece was meant to take the focus away from the person wearing it and put the focus on the costume piece.
You have a great intro to this blog! Very enticing. I too believe that this headdress should be returned because of its cultural value. Your blog is very well detailed and checks all the boxes. Couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I am aware of, Quetzals have only 2-3 tail feathers and are rather difficult to come around. They're difficult to come by now, at least. It's likely the species was quite abundant a few centuries ago. But when considering that, the amount of Quetzal feathers in the headdress is rather fascinating and holds even higher metaphoric value to me.
ReplyDeleteI love all of the detail you put into this blog. You added a lot of research while describing the headdress with amazing detail. The intro was very captivating from the very start, making me even more curious as I read through. This headdress had a lot of history. Where did you find all of your sources? How difficult was it to obtain them? I don't have any thoughts on how to make this blog better, as it is already really good.
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