The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has retained a strong role in the lives, culture, and religion of its members from the time Coptic Christians arrived from Egypt in the 4th century A.D. to the current day. Ethiopia was the second country after Armenia to accept Christianity as its official religion, and Ethiopians remain among the world’s…
The top of this early 20th century Ethiopian Cross is circular with pierced and etched circles enclosing a stylized cross. The circle reflects the Egyptian ankh but was reinterpreted by Copts to symbolize Christ’s halo, divinity and resurrection. The three arms are decorated with an etched crisscross matrix on the front representing the “never-end-knot” and end in stylized rectangles which are a reference to ;the Arc of the Covenant. A stylized Cross Pattée with flaring arms is enclosed in the center. The necklace chain necklace is not included.
This wonderful Coptic Cross is in the form of a fleury or floriated trefoil cross with the end of each arm splayed into three pointed lobes representing the Trinity. The body is embellished with parallel rows of small granulates which results in a vibrant textured surface. The chain is not included.
The antique Ethiopian Cross is unique as it is in crucifix form with an image of Christ, rarely used in the Coptic tradition. This delicate yet powerful pendant reflects the mastery of the skilled craftsman who created it. Using the lost wax process, it was embellished a with the Christ figure and decorative arm ornaments, making it a wonderful one-of-a-kind pendant with a warm patina and signs of wear consistent with age and use. The necklace chain necklace is not included.
This lyrical and beautiful Fleury Cross has a raised interior of a Latin Cross ending in stylized florals and all contained in a bordered edge. The three trefoil lobes at the end of each arm symbolize the Holy Trinity, new growth and renewal of life.
This exquisite, unique and rare Ethiopian Orthodox Cross is a modified Fleury Cross, each arm ending with three-part rounded finals with narrow borders enclosing a floral pattern creating visual harmony and symmetry. The piece is large but light and delicate with finely crafted and pleasing dimensions. It is in excellent condition with a warm patina and signs of wear consistent with age and use. the Chain is not included.
This simple elegant Ethiopian Cross pendant is a plain Latin Cross, the universal symbol of Christianity, surmounted by a raised rounded cross in the center. Although an unusually large pendants with a heavy with a distinct and massive feel, its soft edges and matted surface from years of wear impart a feeling of grace and warmth. Crosses made prior to the early 20th century in small villages by skilled local metal smiths were simpler, yet they are strikingly beautiful and powerful. Made using the lost-wax process, each is a one-of-a-kind work of art. The necklace chain is not included.
Click here for the Blog The Evolution and Brilliance of Ethiopian Crosses
This simple elegant Ethiopian-cross pendant is a plain Latin cross, the universal symbol of Christianity, surmounted by a raised rounded cross in the center. Although it is heavy with a distinct and massive feel, its soft edges and matted surface from years of wear impart a feeling of grace and warmth. Often crosses made prior to or early in the 20th century in small Ethiopian villages by skilled local metal smiths were simpler, yet they are strikingly beautiful and powerful. Made using the lost-wax process, each is a one-of-a-kind work. The necklace chain is not included.
This simple elegant Ethiopian Cross neck pendant is a plain Latin Cross, the universal symbol of Christianity, surmounted by a raised rounded cross in the center. With a distinct and massive feel, its soft edges and matted surface from years of wear impart a feeling of grace and warmth. Made using the lost-wax process, each is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Chain is not included.
This simple but elegant Coptic Cross displays a commonly used tradition of including a circle surmounted on a Latin cross based on the Egyptian ankh set on a variation of a Cross Pattée with flaring arms. This unassuming yet striking pendant is heavy and large with a massive presence that is softened by its smooth surface and simple elegance.
This antique Ethiopian Cross combines several cultural traditions: an Egyptian round ankh surmounted on cross pattée with flaring arms that narrow towards the center. This striking pendant is heavy and large with a massive presence softened by its smooth surface and simple elegance. 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. The coin silver chain is not included.
This elegant antique Ethiopian Coptic cross was fashioned as a Cross Pattée with flaring arms that narrow towards the center and expand to its end. Often crosses made prior to the early 20th century in small villages by skilled local metal smiths were simpler, yet they are strikingly beautiful and powerful. This weighty piece was made using the lost-wax process to create a one-of-a-kind pendant, embellished with six round protruding bosses and etched dots added after the lost wax process. The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Ethiopian cross is typical of the intricate and lyrical designs of a Coptic Cross. Older Coptic Crosses often include circles as here it with circular shape with pierced design on top as well as a circular image below it surrounding a latin cross. The four birds on the outer edge symbolically transform the Cross into the Tree of Knowledge and Life and also symbolize the Holy ghost. A group of four doves represents peace.
This vintage Ethiopian cross pendant was hand crafted in Axum, known for its crosses with religious geometric shapes and symbols and apotropaic symbols to provide protection to the wearer. The center with cutouts and etched linear decorations simulates an “endless knot” to entangle malevolent spirits and the small incised circles on the arms are “protective eyes” that are believed to bring blessings, deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye.” The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Coptic Axum cross pendant has a circle on top with pierced cutouts and the body has extended arms ending in stylized rectangles with etched circles decorated with etched cross-hatching. The rectangles may represent the Ark of the Covenant. The stamped circles are “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye.” Made using the lost wax technique, it is a one of a kind piece. The chain necklace is not included.
This magnificent Ethiopian Cross is a Fleury or Floriated Trefoil Cross with the end of each arm splayed out into three pointed lobes with ends in decorative clusters of three bosses representing the Trinity. The body is embellished with parallel rows of small granulates resulting in a wonderfully textured surface. The bosses and granulates were added after the lost wax process, making this a remarkable and unique one-of-a-kind work or art.
The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Axum Ethiopian cross pendant has religious and apotropaic symbols. The curved rectangular end shapes represent the Ark of the Covenant and the circles represents the eternal and everlasting love of God demonstrated Christ’s resurrection. The circles are also “protective eyes” that can bring blessings and repel evil. The gracefully stylized never-ending knots in the center entraps evil spirits for eternity.
End of content
End of content