African Metalwork

As Africa is rich in natural metals, it has a long and rich tradition of metalwork and metal items were historically a source of wealth, status, currency, and the basis for trade, As summarized on the University of Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum website, “There is enormous variety in African metalworking, in terms of the metals used, the techniques employed, and the objects produced. Historically, the metals used most in Sub-Saharan Africa were iron, copper, bronze (alloy of copper and tin), brass (alloy of copper and zinc), and gold. Metal has been used to produce objects for almost all areas of life, including trade, warfare, agriculture, worship, ritual, and body ornamentation. In West Africa from the fourteenth century, copper bracelets were used as currency. After the arrival of Portuguese and other European traders, great numbers of these manillas (the Portuguese word for bracelet) were produced in Europe to trade in west Africa (as part of the slave trade) …. a copper manilla made in Birmingham for trade to Africa…. was produced to be exchanged with Igbo people in Nigeria for palm oil and ivory…The copper from these manillas brought to Africa from Europe was often melted down and remade into other metal objects.” In Ethiopia coin silver was melted to make Ethiopian crosses. African metalware objects on the VA site include a Congo iron gong, manillas, and Ethiopian Crosses made from coin-silver.

Showing 13–24 of 34 results

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E329QCE)

    Original price was: $175.00.Current price is: $148.75.
    Ht: 3.125″  W: 1.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E330ZCE)

    Original price was: $165.00.Current price is: $140.25.
    Ht: 2.625″  W: 1.5″  || FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée(E328TCE)

    Original price was: $175.00.Current price is: $148.75.
    Ht: 2.625″  W: 1.625″   | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross with Birds (E305YBL) $115

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $97.75.
    H: 2.5”  W: 1.625″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This heavy vintage pendant  is beautifully crafted with elegant symmetry and curved pleasing designs. Two stylized birds under the circular portion at the top artistically and spiritually transform the Cross into the Tree of Life symbolizing the beginning of humanity and end of time, the lineage of the Ethiopian people to the Queen of Shebas and provided wood for the True Cross. The etched circles are the protective eyes that bring blessings avert the “evil eye.” The center of  is a cross pattée, with flared even sized arms and the bottom is a tri-partite design with triangular finials on the lower three arms, all symbols of the Trinity. containing circles –  protective eyes to bring personal blessings and deflect misfortune. It is centered with a cross pattée with flared even-sized arms.  The chain necklace is not included.

     

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross with Internal Latin Cross (E304YBL) $110

    Original price was: $110.00.Current price is: $93.50.
    H: 2.75”  W: 1.625″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This elegant Ethiopian cross displays the distinctive tri-partite design of Coptic crosses with rounded horizontal arms and bottom symbolizing  the Trinity, portion of a circle symbolizing eternity, and apotropaic symbols to repel evil forces and avert the “evil eye.” Made using the lost wax technique, it is a one-of-a-kind piece with etched details on the front and some on the back and signs of wear. The chain necklace is not included.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Cross Woven Matrix, Axum (E325ZLX) $125

    Original price was: $125.00.Current price is: $106.25.
     Ht: 2.5″  W: 1.325″  | | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.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.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E331PCE)

    Original price was: $175.00.Current price is: $148.75.
    Ht: 2.125″  W: 1.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     
  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E332FCE)

    Original price was: $175.00.Current price is: $148.75.
    Ht: 2.375  W: 1.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E333GCE)

    Original price was: $195.00.Current price is: $165.75.
    Ht: 2.75″  W: 1.81″  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Rare Ethiopian Fleury Cross with Trefoil Arms(E335ZCE)

    Original price was: $275.00.Current price is: $233.75.
    H: 2.75″    W: 1.75 ”  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Very Rare Ethiopian Coptic Crucifix (E334NCK) $325

    Original price was: $325.00.Current price is: $276.25.
    Ht: 1.875  W: 1.687   | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     

  • Sale!

    SOLD Antique Yoruba Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa

    Original price was: $110.00.Current price is: $93.50.
    SOLD

    Manillas were commonly used by the Yoruba in the Coastal regions of Nigeria and along the Niger River. This thin simple round C-shaped manilla is decorated with incised linear designs on the outer round surface: it is centered on the top with parallel zig zag lines between a set of four parallel indentations which frame it. Each end also has zig zag indented striations.  Simple, yet elegant, the bracelet is in very good condition, with normal wear, and pitting that verify its age and use. It comes with a wood metal stand.

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