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





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Description from the seller
Set of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come 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 usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft and the base. The base serves as counterbalance to the cross. The cross is handmade according to the lost-wax method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes more than 1000 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 from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.3 x 10 x 0.5 cm and 25 x 7 x 0.5 cm.
Seller's Story
Set of 2 priestly hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come 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 usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft and the base. The base serves as counterbalance to the cross. The cross is handmade according to the lost-wax method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes more than 1000 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 from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 25.3 x 10 x 0.5 cm and 25 x 7 x 0.5 cm.

