Course: Art of the Americas to World War I > Unit 2
Lesson 14: Aztec (Mexica)- Introduction to the Aztecs (Mexica)
- More on the Aztecs (Mexica)
- Coatlicue
- Coatlicue
- Unearthing the Aztec past, the destruction of the Templo Mayor
- Templo Mayor at Tenochtitlan, the Coyolxauhqui Stone, and an Olmec Mask
- Codex Borgia
- Tlaloc vessel
- Serpent mask of Quetzalcoatl or Tlaloc
- The Sun Stone (The Calendar Stone)
- Coyolxauhqui Stone
- Monolith of Tlaltecuhtli (Earth Lord)
- Double-headed serpent
- The House of the Eagles, and sculptures of Mictlantecuhtli and Eagle Warrior
- Eagle Warrior (Mexica)
- Stone kneeling figure of Chalchiuhtlicue
- Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca
- Brazier of Chicomecoatl
- Sacrificial Knife with Mosaic Handle and Chalcedony Blade
- Aztec art and feasts for the dead
- Feathered headdress
- Aztec feathered headdress: backstory
- Remembering the Toxcatl Massacre: The Beginning of the End of Aztec Supremacy
- Painting Aztec History
Feathered headdress
The stunning feathered headdress, a replica of an Aztec artifact, showcases the rich culture and long-distance trade of the Aztec empire. Made from quetzal feathers and gold, it reflects the importance of costume in Aztec rituals. After the Spanish conquest, this artistic tradition continued, but with a shift towards Christian iconography.
Feathered headdress, Aztec, reproduction (National Anthropology Museum, Mexico City) Original: Feathered headdress, Mexico, Aztec, early 16th century, quetzal, cotinga, roseate spoonbill, piaya feathers; wood, fibers, amate paper, cotton, gold, gilded brass (World Museum, Vienna)
A conversation with Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris
Want to join the conversation?
- Were any other pieces of Aztec feathered clothing discovered?(6 votes)
- Looking closely at the headdress, it looks like there are tiny Aztec temples in the half-circle of the headdress. Are those actually temples, or is it something else entirely?(7 votes)
- if you actually zoom in you can see that it is definitely something else just try it and see(6 votes)
- What's a hybrid art in3:44?
It would be great if someone will answer.(3 votes)- Hybrid art form is when two cultures sort of mix their art and it creates a new art form. In this case it would be the Christians using the Aztecs art creating a "hybrid art form".(4 votes)
- Were Quetzal birds ever sacrificed?(4 votes)
- but how could you catch the birds?(2 votes)
- Don' need to catch them neccessarily.... Birds shed feathers, or molt, at least once per year.(4 votes)
- If the quetzal was common, then what makes the headdress so special besides the fact that it is pretty(2 votes)
- There was nothing in Spain like that that is why it was special for Spain making it historical. That is why it is special (my opinion)(4 votes)
- How do they know it's a chalice? I personally couldn't see much of a resemblance.(3 votes)
- The chalice cover is called a paten. It usually made of gold, silver or precious material.(1 vote)
- The headdress is super beautiful I wonder if anybody wore it(2 votes)
- The emperors like Moctezuma wore it. Only emperor couldwear pieces like this.It is called a "penacho"(1 vote)
- who could this item be said to honor? additionally what is done with it after the ritual is performed?(1 vote)
- Most likely the ruler or whoever led the ritual ceremonies. The headdresses must have been stored in order to be used in the next ritual.(1 vote)
- were headdresses from Tenochtitlan only or other places in Mexico?(1 vote)
- Headdresses were made in many cultures, but this type was made only in Tenochtitlan.(1 vote)