Headdress

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-head ornaments-headdresses

Date20th Century

Made AtPará, Brazil, South America

MediumString, cotton and feather

Dimensions68 × 57 in. (172.7 × 144.8 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Acquisitions Fund Purchase

Object number91.34.1.1

DescriptionThis is a ceremonial headdress made of multi-hued macaw feathers with white waterfowl plumes tied to the ends. The macaw feather quills are woven into a white cotton cordage. The feathers are placed in a composition which sets the feathers of shortest length at the ends of the cord and increases the length of the feather as they reach the center for a crown-like appearance. The feather cordaged assemblage is intended to be mounted in an accompanying wicker-framed holder that uses spring clip-like tension to hold the cordage clamped within the frame. The frame, feather and cordage in complete assembly is then affixed to the head of a Xingu dancer framing the face with the longest feathers oriented toward the top of the head.

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