Hand cross, 14th/15th century ·  Éthiopie · ID: 3041687

Description

bronze, cast in one piece, corpus in openwork design, handle-shaped projections on both sides of the spout, old age patina, on wooden base;
every Ethiopian clergyman always carried a hand cross with him. When he met a believer, he held the cross up to him. The believer then touched the cross adoringly with his forehead, and then kissed it. In addition it was used to drive away demons and to bless healing water.