Processional Cross (qäqwami mäsqäl)

Amhara artist

1 of 3

Object Label

The African Kingdom of Aksum (present-day Ethiopia) adopted Christianity around 330 C.E., not long after the religion was first legalized in the Roman empire. Its artists have demonstrated extraordinary creativity in making crosses, which the Ethiopian Orthodox Church links both to Jesus’s Crucifixion and to the Tree of Life mentioned in the Book of Genesis. This interpretation is reflected in the foliate and natural forms present in this group of processional crosses. The elaborate interlaced motifs here first emerged during the medieval era. The cross on the right features incised images of archangels, saints, and the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child.

The symbol of the cross unites Christian communities worldwide and, like their Italian Catholic counterparts, Ethiopian Orthodox priests would have originally carried these crosses atop staffs for use during the liturgy and processions.

Caption

Amhara artist. Processional Cross (qäqwami mäsqäl), 14th century. Copper alloy, 10 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 1 in. (27.3 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Eric Goode, 1999.68.4. Creative Commons-BY

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Arts of Africa

Title

Processional Cross (qäqwami mäsqäl)

Date

14th century

Geography

Place made: Ethiopia

Medium

Copper alloy

Classification

Ceremonial

Dimensions

10 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 1 in. (27.3 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Eric Goode

Accession Number

1999.68.4

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

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