jan 1, 1596 - Penacho of Moctezuma II first mentioned in European inventory

Description:

The Penacho of Moctezuma II is a feathered headdress belonging to Mexica emperor Moctezuma II. It is 46 inches high and 69 inches wide, with layers of feathers forming a semi-circle. The feathers are from a variety of birds including the Lovely cotinga, roseate spoonbill, squirrel cuckoo, and the quetzal. This headdress is striking, the feathers fanning to create an explosion of colour and beauty. Thinking about the labour behind the piece, only male quetzals have around 2-4 green feathers on their tails. There is uncertainty as to the symbolism of the headdress, as it was placed without adequate context in the collection at Ambras Castle, the Archduke Ferdinand’s former residence in Innsbruck, Austria. The headdress is the site of international conflict regarding the repatriation of artifacts, as the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City only has a replica, while the original headdress remains in Museum of Ethnology in Vienna, Austria.

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