Ethiopian Christian Coptic Processional Cross

Processional Brass Cross

This is a relatively large processional cross from the Christian or Coptic community of Ethiopia. It is cut from a single piece of brass and attached to a hollow, conical stem in which a wooden staff can be inserted. The cross is decorated with copious pierced work and engraved with complex, interwoven cruciform shapes and knots.

Such a cross was not for personal devotional purposes like the vast majority of Ethiopian crosses, but was meant to be carried on a staff or pike by deacons and priests during feast days and church services.

Ethiopia is unique for its ancient Christian culture. Europeans were long fascinated by stories of the legendary Christian king Prester John who was believed to have ruled over a lost kingdom probably somewhere in Africa during medieval times. Ethiopian crosses are among the best known examples of Ethiopian Christian art. Probably, the first crosses were imported to Ethiopia from Egypt around 400AD. The forms are numerous, although the form of Jesus is never depicted on them in relief, and only occasionally is engraved on.

Ginzberg, M., African Forms, Skira, 2000.

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