Rare 18th Century Ethiopian Coin Silver Cross Pattée with Ankh Loop, Axum (E330)

Description

Each Coptic cross is one of several variants of a Christian cross associated with the Coptic Orthodox Church in Africa. African metalwork crosses of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria were a foundation for Ethiopian Cross designs and symbolism. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church historically assimilated into their art pre-Christian cross symbols and imparted its own meanings.

The Christian cross with a circular shape on top was influenced by the pagan Egyptian round ankh representing the sun god and eternal life granted by the gods to the ancient Egyptians, while to the Copts the circle symbolized Christ’s halo, divinity and God’s everlasting love brought to man by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and his resurrection. The circle was placed on the horizontal arms of the equal-armed Latin Cross (Christian cross) or, as here, a Cross Pattée with flaring arms that narrow towards the center and expand wider to strait or rounded ends. Prior to the 20th-century, pendant crosses were often made in small villages by skilled local metal smiths that were simpler, yet strikingly beautiful and powerful with a warm patina.

Using the lost wax technique with coin-silver, it is a one-of-a-kind pendant in very good condition with normal signs of wear consistent with age and use and a fine patina. An attached suspension-loop allows a chain or cord to be threaded through it. The coin silver chain is not included and may be purchased separately. Call 213-568-3030 or email [email protected] for chain options.

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