Antique Ethiopian Coin Silver Coptic Crucifix (E334NCK) $325

Description

No region has produced the quantity, quality and diversity as the crosses coming from the Ethiopian-highlands in Africa. The uniqueness of the Ethiopian-Cross stems from influences of many ancient civilizations: Coptic, Celtic, Egyptian, Byzantine and Greek.  Ethiopia was the second country after Armenia to adopt Christianity as its official religion, but it remained isolated and independent from Europe enabling the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to retain the early simplicity, purity, symbolism and practices of early Christian cultures. This exquisite rare Coptic-Cross pendant was made in as a modified Fleury-Cross (a cross adorned at the ends with floral designs) in crucifix form incorporating the figure of Christ. Although the Coptic doctrine of Christ’s resurrection and God’s everlasting and eternal love through the Sacrifice of His Son on the cross is central, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition favors abstract designs with well-recognized symbols and forms with underlying and all-inclusive meanings. Representing the body of  Christ makes this Christian-Cross rare. The cross flaring arms end in a decorative floral assemblage of four bosses arranged in a triangle shape. The three arms symbolize the Trinity and, when combined with the 4 end designs, represent the 12 Apostles who spread the message of the Gospel. The Trinity is also symbolized by its tri-partite design, and by repeating basic motifs on the cross three times it reflects the relationship between God and humanity. Although new motifs and design elements have been added to these unique forms over time, cross makers have retained the fundamental characteristics, forms and  symbols in their African-Art creations. 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 African-metalwork Christian-Cross pendant with fine patina is a one-of-a-kind piece of African-jewelry and is part of the VA Collection of Christian-Art and Spiritual-Jewelry.

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