Cross Item Number: Ca46 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cross pendant composed of four arms, each with three pointed protruding elements and ornamented with one large and several smaller coiled wire circles within which are raised solid spheres. A hinged piece with a loop at the top, also ornamented with coiled wires and solid spheres, is attached at the top of the cross. The pendant is strung on a chain of alternating plain and coiled links with a hook fastener.
History Of Use
The Amhara Christians of the highlands wore crosses as a religious symbol. The three kinds of crosses found in Ethiopia are staff-mounted crosses, hand crosses and cross pendants. This is a cross pendant. While staff-mounted crosses and hand crosses are used by male priests or monks in religious processions, ceremonies and other ecclesiastical uses, pendants are commonly used by lay people. They can be worn by any Christian individual regardless of age or sex. These pendants are usually made of metal, wood or leather and are often given to individuals at their baptism, to be worn on necklaces close to the chest or neck.
Cultural Context
religion
Item History
- Made in Ethiopia before 1974
- Collected during 1974
- Owned by Lemma Admasu before December 27, 1979
- Received from Lemma Admasu (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on December 27, 1979
What
Who
- Culture
- Amhara
- Previous Owner
- Lemma Admasu
- Received from
- Lemma Admasu (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ethiopia
When
- Creation Date
- before 1974
- Collection Date
- during 1974
- Ownership Date
- before December 27, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on December 27, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0587/0014