Aztec Headdress in Austria

 An Aztec Headdress in Austria 


(Feathered headdress, Aztec, reproduction, Original-early 16th century, National Anthropology Museum, Mexico City)

This shows a beautiful replica of what is known as "Moctezuma's headdress" or, the headdress said to have been worn by him. Moctezuma was the last emperor of the Aztec empire, he's known for his immense power as a ruler and his battle with the Spanish. This headdress being an Aztec creation, could have possibly been the very one Moctezuma wore. This image shows the replica, the original Aztec headdress is actually far away from where it originated; to this day the headdress sits in the World Museum, in Vienna Austria, in a display case where this item can't truly shine.

This headdress should be where it belongs, back in Mexico City, where Tenoschitlan would have been. Not only because this, is where it came from, but also because the Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez took and sent this to Europe, due to its beauty. Although this should be taken to where it belongs, Austrian authorities say the journey across the Atlantic ocean is too dangerous. 

But the strange thing here is if the journey now is dangerous, wouldn't the journey from when it first arrived in Austria have been even more dangerous? With the technology now and our knowledge of how to handle these sorts of objects; I would say transporting it would be safer. But, there is one major obstacle this is an ancient piece of artwork, that was made 500 years ago. Which would make the materials of the headdress brittle, with other pieces deteriorated. In this sense transporting it would be a scary idea, different from when it first arrived in Austria, fresh and unwithered.       

The replica that is now in Mexico City, is made of many materials, only available in Mexico, such as quetzal, cotinga, roseate spoonbill, piaya feathers, wood, fibers, amate paper, cotton, gold, and gilded brass (smarthistory.org), and was set up in 1940. The importance of this headdress is simple and great. This headdress is a symbol that represents Mexican culture and has become important for Mexican national, and indigenous identity (smarthistory.org). The headdress is a creation that holds great significance in the detail added and how nothing on the piece is meaningless. When the user or when Moctezuma would have worn this; their entire presence would change into something otherworldly and beautiful. 




Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris, "Aztec feathered headdress," in Smarthistory, August 10, 2015, accessed March 19, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/feathered-headdress-aztec/.

"Montezuma II." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, inc., February 3, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/montezuma-II

 

Comments

  1. Jake GarciaMarch 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM

    Hey David, I really enjoyed this post. You also did a good job. I agree with you, this headdress should have a safer transport journey now than back when it was stolen. Mexico should have the original and Austria, the replica. It is only right for the original peoples to display their history with pride. The only thing I inquire about your post is why/how did Austria get their hands on this sacred item? Otherwise, great post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AuriannaMarch 23, 2021 at 3:51 PM

    I really enjoyed the amount of detail and even some of your own personal thoughts being said in the blog was very interesting. You did well on describing the whereabouts of the headdress and your thoughts on sending the art back to it's home. I think your blog is well laid out and to add anything I'd suggest more backstory on the headdress.

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