Spanish Colonial Petaca, or Hide Trunk, Early 19th C. or Older

Spanish Colonial

Hide | Item 2429

The Spanish Colonial petaca, or hide trunk, has a decorated front overlaying the foundation done as a cut-out of two, 2- headed birds with wings and tail all visible. The Spanish colonial double-headed bird symbol represented the Habsburg dynasty and the power of the Spanish Empire. It symbolized the emperor’s authority, often interpreted as one head looking toward Europe and the other toward the Americas/Asia. Adopted from European heraldry, it also signified alliances with indigenous groups like the Quauhquecholteca.