quetzal, cotinga, roseate spoonbill, piaya feathers, wood, fibers, amate paper, cotton, gold, and gilded brass, Image Source.
Penacho of Moctezuma II is a feathered headdress that was recovered by an Austrian geologist named Ferdinand von Hochstetter (Ferdinand II von Tyrol) in 1878. Being that von Hochstetter was appointed the new director of the Austria's first Museum of Natural History, located in Vienna, von Hochstetter needed artifacts to display, which resulted in him exploring and finding this headdress. It is believed that this headdress was sent from Mesoamerica by the Aztecs. There is speculation that it belonged to Moctezuma II, an Aztec emperor that ruled from 1502-1520. However, it is unknown if Moctezuma II wore the headdress himself. Although the headdress provides a connection between the history of Aztecs and the people of Mexico today, the fragility and difficulty in transporting this artifact might suggest that the headdress should remain in Austria in order to preserve an important and beautiful artifact.
The original headdress, amongst other artifacts from China and Indonesia, was discovered by von Hochstetter at the Ambras Castle located in Innsbruck, Austria. However, experts concluded later on that it was likely the headdress belonged to Count Ulrich of Montfort, an envoy to the court in Spain, and that the headdress came to the Ambras Castle after his death. There is speculation that the headdress was passed down as a present, or gift from Moctezuma II to the Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes. Von Hochstetter was unsure what he discovered and referred to it as a "Moorish Hat", or as an "Indian Apron." He even considered the item to a be a sort of flag that would accompany the Emperor during battle. However, it was not until American anthropologist Zelia Nuttal made it clear that it was a headdress. She based her findings on comparing images and descriptions of other Aztec codices. Some of her colleagues disagreed with her, which resulted in her creating her own replica of the headdress, which she wore at the International Congress of Americanists in Paris. Her purpose was to demonstrate to her colleagues that the artifact von Hochstetter discovered was in fact a headdress. With that being said, some of the sources we can use to learn about this headdress can mirror how Nuttal studied the object, through images and depictions of Aztec codices.
Royal feather workers called amantecas worked in the Totcalli, or "House of Birds." It was located in the emperor's palace where they made feather garments, fans and shields. Birds of many kinds were also kept there where they were fed and cared for by the amantecas. The headdress itself consists of 500 tail plumes from the quetzal and other birds. There is also four different kinds of gold ornaments that are sewed to the feathers and placed in a row on the outside. The backside of the headdress shows each of the feathers tied with maguey thread against a meshed fabric on a wicker frame. The tail feathers that were used in this headdress came from a male quetzal. The quetzal bird is typically found in Central America. The Aztecs often traded long-distance and acquired many different objects such as feathers, textiles, cacao, and shells. Some of these objects were obtained through conquests and tributes. The quetzal bird is an important symbol in Aztec culture as it can be associated with deity Quetzalcoatl. Aztecs referred to the feathers and feather work as "the Shadows of the Sacred Ones." The Aztecs believed that warriors would return in the afterlife as birds and that they dwelled in the realm of "the Place of the Flowering Tree." Thus, bright colors, such as the emerald green, or turquoise of the feathers, was an insight of a higher plane of reality and in essence a message from another world. Thus, the purpose of this headdress was more spiritual rather than acting as a decoration or a piece of a costume. It is believed that the headdress was worn by priests during rituals, performances, or offerings rather than worn by the Emperor. Aztec emperors usually wore a diadem, or crown, rather than a feathered headdress.
Some of the current arguments about its return to Mexico and its remaining in Austria usually come down to a few reasons. Mexico believes that having possession of the headdress can bridge the relationship between current day people of Mexico with the history of the Aztecs and that it can strengthen the indigenous identity of Mexico. However, Austria worries that the return of the headdress may lead to the headdress becoming damaged. In order to get the headdress safely returned to Mexico, a special designed case is needed to encase the headdress in order to protect it from the vibrations caused by flight, assuming that the headdress would be delivered by air travel. Furthermore, a special plane would also be needed to ensure the safety and authenticity of the headdress. There was a study done by the Austrian government that stated transporting the headdress would require a plane that is 984 ft. long and 164 ft. high to prevent the vibrations from ruining the headdress. Since no plane as such exists, it is unlikely the headdress will find its way back to Mexico anytime soon. However, there is still hope that Austria and Mexico could compromise about the return of the headdress because Mexico has something Austria is interested in as well. Mexico is in possession of gilded carriage that was used by Emperor Maximilian who was a member of Austria's royal family and who reigned over Mexico from 1863-1867 due to the French invasion. Another argument made by Austria is that the piece was found long before Mexico was established as a nation. Thus suggesting that because Mexico did not exist at the time the headdress was discovered, Mexico does not have any claim to the headdress.
Although there is debate about whether Austria or Mexico should possess the headdress, the headdress itself played an important role in the history of the Aztecs and the relationship they had with the Spanish conquistadors, specifically with Hernan Cortes. In order to preserve its beauty and its natural state, it should remain in Austria where it is safe and being showcased in a respectful manner. However, if Austria and Mexico can come to an agreement about exchanging artifacts that are significant to both cultures, it would open the door for other cultures in similar circumstances to make exchanges between artifacts, which will strengthen the cultural legacy for various cultures.
Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris, "Aztec feathered headdress," in Smarthistory, August 10, 2015, accessed March 22, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/feathered-headdress-aztec/.
"Return of Aztec Artifact may be Model Deal.", accessed Mar 22, 2021, https://www.iol.co.za/news/return-of-aztec-artifact-may-be-model-deal-1014011.
Mikanowski, Jacob. "The Fight to Bring Home the Headdress of an Aztec Emperor." Atlas Obscura., last modified 2017-09-26 16:24:00 -0400, accessed Mar 22, 2021, http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/moctezuma-headdress-mexico-austria.
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