Vintage Ethiopian Cross with Lattice Work, Axum (E310YBL) $110

Description

This vintage Ethiopian Cross from the Northern Ethiopian Highlands of Africa is a variant of a Coptic cross referred to as an Axum Cross where it was crafted. As the most popular pendant Ethiopian cross it is embellished with religious and apotropaic symbols. This one has a circle on top with pierced cutouts and an etched rounded design. The body has extended arms ending in stylized rectangles with etched circles and the center is decorated on both sides with etched cross-hatching. The squares at the arm ends may represent the Ark of the Covenant which houses the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses which is believed to be housed in the Axum St. Mary’s of Zion church and also represents the relationship of the Ethiopian Church with the Queen of Sheba. The 4 incised circles in each of the 3 arms total 12, symbolizing the 12 Apostles. The circles are also apotropaic “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye”  and the cross hatches symbolize the never-ending-knot that entraps malevolent forces. Made using the lost-wax technique from coin-silver with an attached suspension loop allowing a chain or cord to be threaded through it, this cross with fine patina is a one-of-a-kind piece.

For information and bibliographic citations click here for the blog The Evolution and Brilliance of Ethiopian Crosses