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.
MEDIUM
Iron
DATES
17th or 18th century
DIMENSIONS
8 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 1/8 in. (20.6 x 7 x 0.3 cm)
ACCESSION NUMBER
1998.126.3
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Miodrag Janjusevic
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Iron hand cross with lower tablet, central shaft, upper cross with ram horn projections, and a fine patina.
Condition: Good.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
RECORD COMPLETENESS
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