IMG_2351 Ethiopian antique silver coptic crosses, Close up.

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Posted by ingrid Langerak on June 24, 2015 at 11:23am

This is a close up of the first shapes of the Havaria pectoral cross. Popular in the Gojjam area. Also know as the Gojjam cross.

Charlotte Dakin-Norris June 24, 2015 at 11:33am

Thank you Ingrid. The bottom left cross is intriguing...the edge looks like it has been wire-wrapped! Wonderful work - I love the granulation and fine details!
ingrid Langerak June 24, 2015 at 11:43am

Hi Charlotte, thank you. Here a close up for you to see the deails. I had written a long story on the istory of the crosses, but by mistake clicked the photo with the stories away and had to redo the whole technical thing. An important fact was that silver crosses did come into fashion in Ethiopia since 1880. The once before that from the 4th -7th century, there were some gold crosses, but mainly uptil 1880 it was wood,soapstone, bronze, iron and later also twisted and braided leather(still done). Gold came back into fashion especially for the women in town who could afford it in about 1948. Maybe I will have the energy again some time later.
ingrid Langerak June 24, 2015 at 11:55am

That is exactly the case Charlotte and than covered up at the back with a thin layer of sheet silver. The rest is file grain mixed with granulate. The bail on the far right one was completely worn through and so had to be replaced.
Eva Baby June 26, 2015 at 9:22am

what first came to my mind, is, that they are all round. I also like the bottom left one best, with the beautiful Detail work. but they are all very beautiful. the bottom left one reminds me of other Ethiopian/Eritrean items with such wonderful dainty Detail work.

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