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





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Description from the seller
Set of 2 priest hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come from the Amhara region.
Every Ethiopian priest has a hand cross (Meskel in Amharic) with which he blesses the faithful. Because a priest holds the cross for an extended period, the hand cross must be lightweight and easy to carry. They usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft, and the base. The base serves as a counterweight for the cross. The cross is handcrafted using the lost-wax method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes over 1,000 years old. The material used for these very old crosses is almost always copper. Since the 18th century, alloys with other metals, such as brass and silver, have been found. These crosses are made from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 24.5 x 10.3 x 0.5 cm and 24.2 x 9.7 x 0.6 cm.
Seller's Story
Set of 2 priest hand crosses, 'Meskel', from Ethiopia. The crosses come from the Amhara region.
Every Ethiopian priest has a hand cross (Meskel in Amharic) with which he blesses the faithful. Because a priest holds the cross for an extended period, the hand cross must be lightweight and easy to carry. They usually consist of three parts: the cross itself, the shaft, and the base. The base serves as a counterweight for the cross. The cross is handcrafted using the lost-wax method and is a unique piece. The oldest hand crosses are sometimes over 1,000 years old. The material used for these very old crosses is almost always copper. Since the 18th century, alloys with other metals, such as brass and silver, have been found. These crosses are made from a silver alloy.
Dimensions: 24.5 x 10.3 x 0.5 cm and 24.2 x 9.7 x 0.6 cm.

