Native American Artifacts & Hot Wheels
Lot 409:
Exceptional 19th Century Silver Old Ethiopian Hand Held Processional Coptic Cross - 11 5/8"
19th Century Silver Old Ethiopian Hand Held Processional Coptic Cross. Excellent condition. Dwarfed by the previous lot this is still a nice sized Coptic Cross measuring over 11 5/8" tall and weighing 417 grams or 14 5/8 ounces. The artistry on this Coptic Cross is extreme compared to most. It depicts Mother Mary holding Baby Jesus surrounded by the Holy Trinity (The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost). The handle has the figure of an Angel on it and the base appears to be the Grim Reaper riding a horse (the man on the horse appears to be holding a scythe). Ethiopians used to melt their currency to make these crosses and the percent silver in the coins was The Coptic crosses, deeply revered in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, have a rich history and unique designs. These crosses were historically made from various materials, including wood, bone, and leather. However, as silver became more available in Ethiopia during the 19th century, the creation of crosses increased. They were generally made from melted Austrian Thalers, which contained a regulated and constant content mixture of 83.3% silver and 16.6% copper. Excellent condition and one of the best coptic crosses we have had the privelege of holding. Patination commencorate with age. From the life time collection of Chuck and Eileen Hoffman. Chuck and Eileen spent their lives traveling the world as teachers to many different countries collecting art and antiquities during their stays at the various locations they worked. They thoroughly emersed themselves in the cultures they spent time with bringing home with them interesting momento’s to remind them of their journey’s and experiences.
Condition: Ancient Authentic
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