In China, birds with long tails (shoudainiao) are a visual pun and homophone for longevity (shou), as their tails resemble long ribbons both visually and in the Chinese language. In Ethiopian crosses stylized birds symbolically transforms the cross into a tree that represents the True Cross, the beginning and end of time, and the unique lineage of the Ethiopian people to the biblical Queen of Sheba.
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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 fine African art and metalwork. This Coptic Cross pendant features two stylized birds under the top circular portion artistically and spiritually transform…
After the Qing dynasty fell in 1912 and was replaced with the Chinese Republic, porcelain production declined in imperial kilns but was revived in Southern China’s Jiangxi Province which made high-quality finely designed Chinese-Republic porcelains in private kilns. With few restraints, they produced more colorful pieces with unique Western shapes and styles. These late Qing,…
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…
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…
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