Hand cross (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Silver is scarce in Ethiopia. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Austrian silver coins known as Maria Theresa thalers were brought to Ethiopia in increasing numbers, providing a supply for artisans and thereby also suggesting a likely approximate date of manufacture. The rectangular form at the base of the handle represents a tabot, a replica of the holy tablet of the commandments kept in the inner sanctuary of an Ethiopian Church. The image of archangel's face inscribed on the tabot appropriate reflects the practice of positioning paintings of archangels to protect the sanctuary where the tabot is kept.
Gift of the Reverend Dr. Vienna Cobb Anderson
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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