As defined in Wikipedia, religious art is a visual representation of religious ideologies and their relationship with humans. Sacred art directly relates to religious art since its purpose is for worship and participation in religious rituals and practices. Christian sacred art is specifically created to illustrate and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity and to provide imagery of different Christian beliefs in the world. Most Christian art is crafted around familiar themes for the intended audience of devotees and includes images of Jesus and narrative scenes from his life, Old Testament scenes, images of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, and images of saints and are mostly associated with Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. To reach the masses of uneducated followers, a complex but easily recognizable iconographic system of attributes and symbols were developed to identify specific scenes and personages. The VA Christian-Collection includes art and sculpture as well as religious jewelry, including Ethiopian Crosses reflecting the unique tradition and iconography of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
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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.
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.
This special and important carving of Joseph with the Christ child from Kerala reflects a blend of Portuguese and European traditions with the indigenous traditions of South India. Christian missionaries built churches in Kerala from 1510 (St. Francis Church in Kochi) through the18th century and brought with them European carvings, paintings, and other large and…
This large and heavy vintage Axum cross is centered with a never-ending knot created by pierced geometric forms enhanced by etched lines. The flared arms have modified rectangle that may represent the Ark of the Covenant. The knotted endless lines thwart malevolent beings from entering or reaching the wearer and conquer demons by trapping them. Using the lost wax technique, it is a one-of-a-kind pendant. The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Coptic Axum cross pendant has a circle on top with pierced cutouts and the body has extended arms ending in stylized rectangles with etched circles decorated with etched cross-hatching. The rectangles may represent the Ark of the Covenant. The stamped circles are “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye.” Made using the lost wax technique, it is a one of a kind piece. The chain necklace is not included.
This extremely decorative and lyrical pendant is beautifully crafted with elegant symmetry and curved pleasing designs. The tri-partite design depicts the Trinity. The three arms each have three-sided elaborate extensions, with etched circles that represents the eternal and everlasting love of God demonstrated in Christ’s Crucifixion as well as “protective eye” symbols to bring blessings and repel evil forces and avert the “evil eye.” The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Coptic cross has several circles which represent God’s everlasting love, Christ’s halo and his infinite love and resurrection. They are symbols with special powers that can bring blessings and repel evil forces and harm. The four stylized birds transform the cross into the Tree of Life and Knowledge , the True Cross, the beginning and end of time, and the unique lineage of the Ethiopian people to the biblical Queen of Sheba. Made of coin silver using the lost wax technique, it is a one-of-a-kind pendant with normal signs of wear. The chain necklace is not included.
Old Ethiopian crosses often included circles. The etched circle with radiating arms in the center of this cross from Axum spiritually represents eternity and Christ’s halo, his infinite love, and resurrection. Circles also are “protective eye” symbols like the eye circles etched at the end of the arms and on the sides. Made of coin silver using the lost wax technique, it is a one-of-a-kind Ethiopian cross pendant. The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Coptic Axum cross pendant has a circle on top with pierced cutouts and the body has extended arms ending in stylized rectangles with etched circles decorated with etched cross-hatching. The rectangles may represent the Ark of the Covenant. The stamped circles are “protective eyes” to deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye.” Made using the lost wax technique, it is a one of a kind piece. The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Ethiopian cross pendant was hand crafted in Axum, known for its crosses with religious geometric shapes and symbols and apotropaic symbols to provide protection to the wearer. The center with cutouts and etched linear decorations simulates an “endless knot” to entangle malevolent spirits and the small incised circles on the arms are “protective eyes” that are believed to bring blessings, deflect misfortune and avert the “evil eye.” The chain necklace is not included.
This vintage Ethiopian cross is typical of the intricate and lyrical designs of a Coptic Cross. Older Coptic Crosses often include circles as here it with circular shape with pierced design on top as well as a circular image below it surrounding a latin cross. The four birds on the outer edge symbolically transform the Cross into the Tree of Knowledge and Life and also symbolize the Holy ghost. A group of four doves represents peace.
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