Ethiopia
19th century
Brass or bronze alloy
Height 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm), Width 11 in (27.9 cm)
Provenance: London trade; Alan Mann, London
Processional crosses have been central to the liturgical practice of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church since the medieval period, carried on staffs during public ceremonies and used to bless congregants as visible expressions of sacred authority. This example is formed with an openwork lattice design, expanding cross arms, and smaller cross motifs arranged across the body, producing an intricate geometric patterning of light architectural quality. The long socketed base is intact, designed to receive a wooden carrying staff for ceremonial use.
The openwork construction and repeated cross symbolism are characteristic of the Ethiopian tradition of metalwork crosses, in which devotional function and formal complexity were understood as complementary rather than competing concerns. Ethiopian processional crosses of this quality and scale were produced for established churches and monasteries rather than for personal use. The London trade provenance through Alan Mann connects this piece to the specialist British dealer market for Ethiopian ecclesiastical material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Ethiopia
19th century
Brass or bronze alloy
Height 15 1/4 in (38.7 cm), Width 11 in (27.9 cm)
Provenance: London trade; Alan Mann, London
Processional crosses have been central to the liturgical practice of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church since the medieval period, carried on staffs during public ceremonies and used to bless congregants as visible expressions of sacred authority. This example is formed with an openwork lattice design, expanding cross arms, and smaller cross motifs arranged across the body, producing an intricate geometric patterning of light architectural quality. The long socketed base is intact, designed to receive a wooden carrying staff for ceremonial use.
The openwork construction and repeated cross symbolism are characteristic of the Ethiopian tradition of metalwork crosses, in which devotional function and formal complexity were understood as complementary rather than competing concerns. Ethiopian processional crosses of this quality and scale were produced for established churches and monasteries rather than for personal use. The London trade provenance through Alan Mann connects this piece to the specialist British dealer market for Ethiopian ecclesiastical material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
