Africa is the second largest continent after Asia and covers about one-fifth of the total land surface of the Earth and is comprised of 54 countries. The United Nations’ Geoscheme divides the continent into 5 subregions: Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, West Africa and South Africa. The VA collection includes items mostly from West, East and Central Africa.
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No other region has produced the quantity, quality, and diversity as the crosses from the Africa Ethiopian-Highlands, the second nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion. The uniqueness of the Ethiopian Cross stems from influences of many ancient civilizations: Coptic, Celtic, Egyptian, Byzantine and Greek. Ethiopian pendant crosses were made in a variety of…
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…
Numbering over 20 million people, the Yoruba are one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and are also scattered in Benin and Togo. They are among the most skilled and productive craftsmen in Africa. Historically, copper bracelets were produced, worn, and used as currency in the Coastal regions of Nigeria, used for marketing,…
Made by Nkutshu (Nkutsu) or Jonga metal smiths who traditionally had a monopoly as gong makers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Central-Africa, many traditional African-metalwork items like this had multiple uses. They are an example of fine Tribal-art used in Africa as ritual and ceremonial instruments, a mark of status…
One of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, Benin and Togo numbering over 20 million, Yoruba are among the most skilled African craftsmen. Traditional Yoruba religion has a complex hierarchy of deities comprised of a supreme creator with some 400 lesser gods and spirits. Having one of the world’s highest rates of twin births…
The uniqueness of Ethiopian Crosses stems from influences of many ancient civilizations: Coptic, Celtic, Egyptian, Byzantine, Greek, and Latin. Axum-Crosses which are the most popular Ethiopian pendant crosses use geometric shapes, mostly squares or rectangles as their foundation, and are embellished with religious and apotropaic symbols. It is centered with a lattice pattern of a…
This vintage Ethiopian Cross from the Northern Ethiopian Highlands in Africa is a variant of a Coptic -cross referred to as an Axum -Cross where it was crafted. As the most popular Ethiopian pendant crosses they are embellished with religious and apotropaic symbols. This cross is divided into two components. The top has a square…
This vintage Ethiopian Cross from the Northern Ethiopian Highlands in Africa is a variant of a Coptic cross referred to as an Axum Cross where it was crafted. As the most popular Ethiopian pendant crosses they are embellished with religious and apotropaic symbols. The bottom section is a tri-partite design depicting the Trinity. Each of…
This hand made vintage Ethiopian Cross is typical of the intricate and beautiful crosses associated with Coptic tradition of Christianity in Ethiopia which combined different cultural traditions, and religious and talismanic motifs. Old Coptic crosses often included a circle, as here with a circular shape on top enclosing an etched circular design and a cut…
No other region has produced the quantity, quality, and diversity as the Christian-cross from the Ethiopian-Highlands in Africa, an area renowned for having accepted Christianity early in its history and its unique African art and metalwork. This vintage Ethiopian cross variant of a Coptic cross and is often referred to as an Axum Cross name…
The etched circular section at the top of this cross spiritually represents eternity and Christ’s halo, his infinite love and resurrection. A circle is also an apotropaic symbol of the “protective eye” that brings personal blessings to the wearer and deflects misfortune. The bottom section is a tri-partite design depicting the Trinity. The four birds…
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…
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