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Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
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Headdress
Chimú 15th–16th century
Said to have been found in the Chancay region, central coast
Cotton, feathers; H. 36 1/4 in. (92.1 cm)
American Museum of Natural History, New York (41.0/7306)
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This impressive headdress is arguably the best preserved and grandest of a number of known examples of similar style and construction; they are said to have been found on the north and central coast. The long trapezoidal panel hanging from the cap in back is decorated with two identical frontal figures wearing caps topped by a crescent ornament, a common motif in Chimú art. The flaps on either side are covered with feathers inside and out because both sides were seen when the wearer moved (unlike the backflap, which is undecorated on the inside because it rested on the wearer’s back). Particularly impressive is the white feather ruff above the cap surmounted by a tall, flared crest with multicolored long and short feathers.
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