Cross (2) - Coptic - silver alloy - 1990-2000 - Meskel - hand cross
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Description from the seller
Pair of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses originate from the Amhara region.
Each Ethiopian priest has a hand cross (meskel in Amharic) with which he blesses the faithful. Because a priest holds the cross for extended periods, the hand cross must be light and easy to carry. They typically consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft, and the base. The base acts as a counterweight to the cross. The cross is handmade according to the lost-wax casting method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes more than 1,000 years old. The material used for these very old crosses is almost always copper. Since the 18th century, alloys with other metals have been found, such as brass and silver. These crosses are made of a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.7 x 10.4 x 0.8 cm (176 g) and 24.8 x 9.5 x 0.6 cm (120 g). One of the crosses is somewhat lighter and thinner than the other.
Seller's Story
Rootz Gallery has an extensive collection of remarkable art objects from the non-Western world and a collection of modern and contemporary art. The art collection originally started with the gathering of modern and contemporary art. Due to a long-standing fascination with other cultures, it was quickly expanded to include non-Western art objects. The gallery has primarily focused on non-Western art for a long time, but has recently also refocused on modern and contemporary art.
Many pieces originate from ritual contexts and have been carefully collected over a period of 40 years. The items, often acquired during travels and coming from old collections, offer a unique insight into authentic cultures and traditions.
Translated by Google TranslatePair of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses originate from the Amhara region.
Each Ethiopian priest has a hand cross (meskel in Amharic) with which he blesses the faithful. Because a priest holds the cross for extended periods, the hand cross must be light and easy to carry. They typically consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft, and the base. The base acts as a counterweight to the cross. The cross is handmade according to the lost-wax casting method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes more than 1,000 years old. The material used for these very old crosses is almost always copper. Since the 18th century, alloys with other metals have been found, such as brass and silver. These crosses are made of a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.7 x 10.4 x 0.8 cm (176 g) and 24.8 x 9.5 x 0.6 cm (120 g). One of the crosses is somewhat lighter and thinner than the other.
Seller's Story
Rootz Gallery has an extensive collection of remarkable art objects from the non-Western world and a collection of modern and contemporary art. The art collection originally started with the gathering of modern and contemporary art. Due to a long-standing fascination with other cultures, it was quickly expanded to include non-Western art objects. The gallery has primarily focused on non-Western art for a long time, but has recently also refocused on modern and contemporary art.
Many pieces originate from ritual contexts and have been carefully collected over a period of 40 years. The items, often acquired during travels and coming from old collections, offer a unique insight into authentic cultures and traditions.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Meskel - hand cross
Number of objects
2
Material
Coptic - silver alloy
Country of origin
Ethiopia
Ethnic group/culture
Amhara
Height
25.7 cm
Width
10.4 cm
Sold with stand
No
Depth
0.8 cm
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Estimated period
1990-2000
Sold by
