Caption

Hand-made Ethiopian cross. The arms are triangular with projections in the center of each arm, flowing into a handle in the form of an elongated rectangle, topped with a rectangular plaque with a projection in the center of the lower side. Decoration on both sides. Side A: In the center, a small equal-armed cross with widening arms, enclosed in a square decorative frame. On each side of the frame, a triangle marked with a double engraved line. In the fields of the arms are schematic representations of four winged cherubim or seraph heads. The projection of the upper arm is decorated with a horizontal zigzag stripe and a cross. The handle has a zigzag stripe. The tablet features an Ethiopian inscription, with a rectangle marked with a double line below it. Side B: In the center, a small cross composed of five rectangles, from which four rhombuses filled with a quatrefoil motif emerge. The upper arm features a schematic representation of a winged head—a cherub or seraph. The handle is undecorated. The tablet is decorated with a rectangular frame. 19th century, Ethiopia. Cross; height 30.5 cm, width 11.5 cm., A carved wooden cross-shaped object with a long narrow handle and a rectangular block at the bottom, all in dark brown with lighter brown worn areas; the cross arms are broad and triangular with carved geometric patterns and a small knotted piece of lighter tan twine tied near the center; the top section has a carved face-like shape and linear incised decoration; the surface shows varied wood grain and uneven texture with subtle highlights of reddish-brown.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A00_080

License type

Rights managed

Available size

68.7Mb (3.3Mb) / 13.3in x 20.0in / 4000 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Hand- Ethiopian cross arms triangular projections center arm flowing handle form elongated rectangle topped rectangular plaque projection lower side Decoration sides Side A small equal-armed cross widening arms enclosed square decorative frame side frame triangle marked double engraved line fields schematic representations four winged cherubim seraph heads upper arm decorated horizontal zigzag stripe cross zigzag stripe tablet features Ethiopian inscription rectangle marked double line Side B small composed five rectangles four rhombuses filled quatrefoil motif emerge upper arm features schematic representation winged head cherub seraph undecorated tablet rectangular frame 19th century Ethiopia Cross height 30.5 cm width 11.5 cm carved wooden cross-shaped object long narrow handle rectangular block bottom dark brown lighter brown worn areas cross arms broad carved geometric patterns knotted piece lighter tan twine tied near top section carved face- shape linear incised decoration surface varied wood grain uneven texture subtle highlights reddish-brown.