Processional Cross (qäqwami 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.
MEDIUM
Copper alloy
DATES
1600–1769
PERIOD
Late Solomonic Period
DIMENSIONS
15 x 14 3/4 in. (38.1 x 37.5 cm)
ACCESSION NUMBER
1997.168.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Nicolas Fries
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
RECORD COMPLETENESS
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