Cross (2) - Coptic - silver alloy - 1990-2000 - Meskel - hand cross





€86 | ||
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€77 | ||
€73 | ||
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Description from the seller
Set of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come from the Amhara region.
Every Ethiopian priest has a handheld 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 wear. They usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shank, and the base. The base serves as a counterweight for the cross. The cross is handmade using the lost-wax casting method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses can be more than 1000 years old. The material used for these very ancient 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 from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.5 x 9.5 x 0.5 cm and 24 x 8.5 x 0.5 cm.
Seller's Story
Set of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come from the Amhara region.
Every Ethiopian priest has a handheld 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 wear. They usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shank, and the base. The base serves as a counterweight for the cross. The cross is handmade using the lost-wax casting method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses can be more than 1000 years old. The material used for these very ancient 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 from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.5 x 9.5 x 0.5 cm and 24 x 8.5 x 0.5 cm.

