Amhara. Hand Cross (mäsqäl), 19th or 20th century. Silver, 8 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (21.0 x 7.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George V. Corinaldi Jr., 79.72.30. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 79.72.30_bw.jpg)
Amhara. Hand Cross (mäsqäl), 19th or 20th century. Silver, 8 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (21.0 x 7.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George V. Corinaldi Jr., 79.72.30. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.79.72.28-.32_print_bw_edited.jpg)
Hand Cross (mäsqäl)
Arts of Africa
Ethiopian Crosses
Christianity most likely arrived in Ethiopia in the first century. The conversion of King Ezana in 330 c.e. led to its official acceptance and the minting of coins bearing one of the earliest uses of the cross as a Christian symbol. Although the silver pendant crosses in the Museum’s collection are from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, their forms have a considerably longer history, as the much older copper, wood, and iron crosses here demonstrate.
Hand crosses, which are used by priests, are either hand-held or suspended from a cord around the neck. They are kissed by the faithful to receive a blessing. Processional crosses are carried on long poles in religious processions. Prayer staffs are used to mark rhythms during sacred dances and as supports to lean on while standing for long hours during Orthodox church services. Together, all of these crosses are emblems of the Ethiopian Orthodox church’s ongoing authority.
Christianity most likely arrived in Ethiopia in the first century. The conversion of King Ezana in 330 c.e. led to its official acceptance and the minting of coins bearing one of the earliest uses of the cross as a Christian symbol. Although the silver pendant crosses in the Museum’s collection are from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, their forms have a considerably longer history, as the much older copper, wood, and iron crosses here demonstrate.
Hand crosses, which are used by priests, are either hand-held or suspended from a cord around the neck. They are kissed by the faithful to receive a blessing. Processional crosses are carried on long poles in religious processions. Prayer staffs are used to mark rhythms during sacred dances and as supports to lean on while standing for long hours during Orthodox church services. Together, all of these crosses are emblems of the Ethiopian Orthodox church’s ongoing authority.
CULTURE
Amhara
MEDIUM
Silver
DATES
19th or 20th century
DIMENSIONS
8 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (21.0 x 7.0 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
79.72.30
CREDIT LINE
Gift of George V. Corinaldi Jr.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Silver hand cross in the form of an openwork circle. The design consists of many cross forms. The handle is solid and incised with X forms on both sides. The base plate is also an openwork circle. Both the base plate and cross fit into slots in the handle and have been welded in place. CONDITION: Good.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Amhara. Hand Cross (mäsqäl), 19th or 20th century. Silver, 8 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (21.0 x 7.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George V. Corinaldi Jr., 79.72.30. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 79.72.30_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 79.72.30_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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