—$—$—_—_____ THE TECHNIQUES OF AZTEC FEATHERWORKING THE SOURCES OF MEXICAN FEATHERWORK ART din the Historia general de las cosas de Nueva 1e Things of New Spain), compiled between 1540 and. Fray Bernardino de Sahagun. The book, also jenuine encyclopaedia about the Aztec « collection dedicated to this culture. The main source inthis fe Espana (General Hist 1585 by Aztec informants, s known as the Florentin world and may be cons BIRDS AND AZTEC FEATHERWORKING fhe some ten thousand species of birds inthe world recorded by ornithologists, more than four thousand Americas. The most numerous and ‘spec tacular’ of thes t 4 zones. Of this impressive number, i appears that only a small proportion was, and is still, Used im fraditional feather ico and Central working. This is 1 America) where, of th inhabit this region, v ly the case fc e one thousand y few seem to ha ‘According to the main source on the topic of birds, the Of XI ofthe Florentine Codex by Fray Bernardino de Saha in Central Mexico, only about 20 were used by Aztec fe provides a brief presentation of them? q = Quetzal or resplendent quetzal/irogon (Phoromachis Nahuatl (bird [with] beautiful long and green feathel rized by its two lo Mexican featherworking, cha 5s): Tenitzcan (he = Mexican trogon (Trogonus mexica ~ Lovely cotinga (Cotinga amabils: Xiuhtototl (turgual — Montezuma oropendola or Montezuma cacique (GY (or Zacuan) = Casique or weaverbird (Cossidrle Palustris: Tzanal (OH = Motmot (Momotus Lessoni): Xiuhquechol (turquois ~ Scarlet macaw (Ara Macao), also called Papagayo Of ~ Hyacinth macaw or aara (Ava rarauna), pertaps Cuitlatexotli (‘silvery blue’). ~ Aztec parakeet (Aratinga azteca): Quilton, ~ White-fronted amazon (Amazona albifrons): Co 1ed amazon (Amazona viidigenalls Red-cromee prveges GSN. TH co (ceigiou athermortar ate ad tights, also ne sce Could end the sons io calmecocs ck, turkeys, hike cine cs turkeys, chickens, ete) onthe and lapidary artisans. em by the A eS far super bility, who f 1 creator ofthe Mass of This lox y craft was thus e who shelte cael pre protected by th that were entire voted tothe manufacture ious feathers. Two types of sand the calpican amantecas he Royal House) was more partculatly responsible ts of Huizlopochti, the tribal god ofthe Aztecs. 0 guard and prepare vies, about the choice of ed worthops nhs ceremonial costum: i The first type (Featherworkers Royal Ho The rol cc Posed, of course, of prec ofthe secon re second typ ervortrs tthe Th 0 clothes and ornaments “4 -— all Independent feather the famous tlahuiztlis (parade costumes entirely covered with oe ral boc stl postion gous er may ue made war insignia, ba FEATHERWORKING TECHNIQUES ‘As was the case with other great indigenous cultures ofthe Americas, the amantecas knew three main featherworking techniques and employed them and oflen combined pending onthe objects and ornaments being coveredstying Weaving and gluing? them, [2] Codex Mendoze, Flio 47 ie The ted feather on ee i Doub ead featherwork technique i the Worl, knotting alse dinderwent huge development inthe Americas and was probable fist Beseds a judging by wal decorators Athough he Amazorian Geils EUS sug iste du Qu aly regs Cine Fars eee ne reser development of his echniqu, none of efits ime Aeris seems o have ignored i ere eee chnique consists of assembling feahets most tienen igNe \ code ae ties (ih fibres ard cords) on spoleore a a on a ar oven fives, breathe), Thea . types (wood, stalks, woven ; niga : tran — eas alia pes (eed ar ars payed an impos lee and colours, extremely vafied stuctres ions, flexbilty ; ‘ents, adornments for clothing, Weapons, Through the play of dimers! posed, maily body oman S gle? were thus composed, 2 ial, should bay lies BS ; rival opjcts fans and of course (Pree a ye recuniques OF AZT FEATHERHORE 5; Ribeo, aMANUFACTURING THE MASS 0 eso: athers trimmed into vention of varied cing to their colour assembly fellowing a ost delicate, was carried varied sorts (fabrics, wood). Many objects waddresses, rondaches, jects were represented and even birds..).4 The ' de Sahagun described at this information and the "Nahuatl Swe have been © that needs to be verified bine Hang ea, 2012 12. Weidanesjohnson, 197; 1685, 13. Mongne,nprepuation 14 Monge, 1942004 15 Sele 852; Gary. 1965 Dibble and Anderson, 139 16. Monge, 2004, pp 49, 1993elon ofpitls da plea oe | iti ga mel et eter Cee (5) Florentine Coder, Folio 64 Facsimile Musée du Quai Branly — Jacques Chirac ~ Paris 1D] Detail of Saint Gregory's mouth, Mass of Saint Gregory Mexico 1539, “Musée des Jacobins— Auch ~ lew. no. 86.1