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Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
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Headdress
Chimú 15th–16th century
Cotton, feathers; H. 33 in. (83.8 cm)
Collection Michael and Judy Steinhardt, New York
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Pompous headdresses were favored by Chimú kings who ruled over much of Peru’s north coast from their impressive city of Chan Chan, outside present-day Trujillo, during the last few centuries before the Spanish conquest. A popular type at the time in featherwork featured a long trapezoidal backflap and two narrow bands that framed the wearer’s face. The stylized frontal figures and heads wearing crescent headdresses as seen here are a ubiquitous motif in all the arts of this period on the north central coast. It is unclear who the figures represent, since they are always depicted without distinctive personal characteristics or attributes. At the top of the headdress is a tuft of brown feathers that moved with the wearer. Movement of the feathers on textiles and headgear brought out the sheen and iridescence.
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