Preview
Geography
Ethiopia, Africa
Culture
Ethiopian
Medium
Metal alloy
Dimensions
6 1/16 ✕ 2 5/16 ✕ 1/8 in. (15.4 ✕ 5.8 ✕ 0.3 cm)
2.67 oz. (75.7 g)
Credit Line
Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020
Accession Number
2020.43
Provenance
Purchased by David P. Harris from the Guthaim Gallery Inc. in New York on August 15, 1977.
Condition
Surface exhibits pitting throughout.
References
Brad Hostetler, and Lynn Jones, eds., Ethiopian Objects in the Blick-Harris Study Collection: Art, Context, and the Persistence of Form, Peregrinations: Journal of Medieval Art & Architecture 8, no. 1 (Spring 2022): pp. 5–25, 67–75, 98–100, cat. 8. https://digital.kenyon.edu/perejournal/vol8/iss1/1/
Description
This hand cross was cast in one piece. The form of the cross consists of four triangular-shaped arms of equal length and size converging at a single, central point, which itself has four small pointed protrusions. Each arm features a cruciform finial with elongated and rounded lateral arms articulated by small notches. Variations on these finial-cross forms are found at both ends of the shaft. The base includes a two-bulbed finial attached to the lower edge.
Small decorative elements are visible on both sides, including horizontal bands and X-shaped incisions on the shaft, incised circles on the base, and small accent dots on the cross, shaft, and base.
Lynn Jones, in Peregrinations: Journal of Medieval Art & Architecture 8, no. 1 (Spring 2022): 98. https://digital.kenyon.edu/perejournal/vol8/iss1/1/