Named for the town where they are made, Axum crosses are the most common Ethiopian pendent cross especially in Tigray in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Axum was an early center of African Christianity and one of the holiest cities in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and site of St. Mary’s of Zion church where the Arc of the Covenant is believed to be housed. These crosses commonly have lattice pattern of a never-ending knot of interwoven threads symbolizes unity, the order of life and the Church, eternity and everlasting life. Their geometric squares or rectangles symbolize the Arc of Covenant which Ethiopian Christians claim rests in Axum’s St. Mary’s of Zion church.
Showing all 5 results
Vintage Ethiopian cross pendant, circle with radiating arms represents eternity, Christ’s halo and infinite love, and resurrection. Etched circles are apotropaic “protective eyes” to thwart evil and bad luck. Lost wax technique using coin silver make this a one-of-a-kind piece.
This vintage Ethiopian cross has a square with a stylized “endless knot” with pierced cutouts that entraps evil spirits for eternity. Arms end in stylized rectangles that may represent the Ark of the Covenant with etched circles that are “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune.
Vintage Axum style Ethiopian cross pendant with 3 arms each with 4 circles symbolizing the 12 Apostles. Circles are “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune avert the “evil eye,” cross hatches symbolize never-ending-knot to entrap malevolent forces, rectangles represent the Ark of the Covenant. Made by lost wax technique, it is a one-of-a-kind piece.
Pendant cross with pierced “endless knot” to entangle malevolent spirits. Interlocking thread matrix simulates woven material. Interplay of shadow and light and Juxtaposition of “positive and negative space” highlights dualities: materiality/immateriality; body/soul’s nourishment; spiritual/physical salvation; union of humanity and Christ’s divinity..
Centered with a stylized Cross Pattée, this Axum vintage coin silver pendant has a circular top symbolizing Christ’s halo, divinity and resurrection; arms with etched matrix represent the “never-ending-knot,” and stylized rectangles represent the Arc of the Covenant.
End of content
End of content