Processional cross "yemesor meskel", 18th century ·  Ethiopia · ID: 3045100

Description

brass, two-piece (spout/ cross), defects in the casting

From the time of the adoption of Christianity - around 340 A.D. - crosses have been omnipresent not only as liturgical objects in the region’s churches and monasteries, but also in popular devotion and everyday life.

Functioning as apotropaic objects to ward off evil spirits and as spiritual emblem of the entire community, members of the clergy carry the large-scale metal processional crosses on poles during processions and liturgical ceremonies.

Like most liturgical devices, the crosses were mainly produced in monastic workshops by means of the lost-wax process thereby always producing a unique object.

Comparing literature

Greve, Anna & Kerstin Volker-Saad (Hg.), Äthiopien und Deutschland, München, Berlin 2006, ill. 117