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Clément Floch

Original priest’s hand cross (or 'Meskel' in Amharic) from Lalibela, Ethiopia. Priests carry hand crosses in order to bless the faithful, or for the crosses to be kissed by the faithful. Therefore, hand crosses have to be light and easy to carry. They generally consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft and the base which acts as a counterbalance to the cross. Every Ethiopian priest has a hand cross with which he blesses the faithful. 

This cross was hand-made by the lost-wax method, so it is a unique piece. Ever since the 18th century, crosses made of alloys with silver and other metals have been found. From the 19th century on silver was increasingly used in such an alloy. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes more than 1000 years old. The material used for these very old ones used to be copper, like the one in the last photograph. 

This Meskel is made of an alloy of silver, copper and nickel.

Ethiopia - Mid 20th century

Emanuel church - 34 cm - Large Coptic priest blessing cross - Meskel - Silverplate

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Emanuel church - 34 cm - Large Coptic priest blessing cross - Meskel - Silverplate

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