A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.
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This cross is another one of my lucky finds which I was able to purchase for just over € 10. I think its a Gurage or Gojam cross, but will be happy to be told more by our Ethiopia experts. The part above the hinge and/or the bail look like they have been replaced at some stage. Still it's lovely filigree work and looks and feels like rather good silver (though I haven't tested it yet).
I would just like to share a little story with you. Just before stumbling quite incidentally across this pendant, I found another case of gross misrepresentation on ebay. On ebay.de, article no. 191057210379, you will find a very similar cross pendant to the one shown above, which is being sold for as "antique Celtic cross" for the staggering amount of € 9700 sth! The same seller has a few more (quite beautiful and relatively rare) Ethiopian crosses starting at around € 700. None of them, however is being sold as Ethiopian.
I forgot to mention: the cross measures about 8.3 cm in length including the bail
This is beautiful Betty. Good to have such luck once in a while!
Very nice ! I think it is a Gurage cross and it has a wonderful decoration (the string-like lines inside are very Special!). I have a similar one, but not old and not hinged, a modern one (and I think without this decoration I mentioned, but I am not sure.. as it is not before me), so this one is really of higher value. What a crazy Story you wrote below! An antique celtic cross for this phantasy amount which is in real an Ethiopian cross ? I have to read this.. (if it is still on Ebay). Will come back....
Now I found it, strange, the first time it did not work! You are right! It is a normal Ethiopian cross and they want to sell it for These Euro 9700 something. I ask myself if this is a joke! I copied the link, below, but I am not sure if it works.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/191057210379?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fs...
@ Eva: yes, it's quite hilarous. They also have a Lalibela cross on offer for the same price.
Yes, you are right about the Lalibela cross, being sold as antique Celtic Cross for almost Euros 10'000.00 I am speechless!
The link: (but the auction is soon ending):
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Antike-Kelten-Kreuz-keltenkreuz-Keltisch-End...
Hi Betty, for sure this is an old coptic cross with filegrain and granulate. This can be of good or lower silver. It is a Shoa cross but also known as Guarage cross (because they like decoration) I do think that the upper part is the correct piece, but the eye has been redone. A good find for such a price.
Yes, its funny how some African things are labelled Art Deco as the Ebay item you mention. I found a Tuareg chat chat necklace on ebay labelled as Art Deco. What caught my eye tonight are these earrings.
Dear friends,I have seen these crosses put on auction on ebay about 6 weeks ago, and like you was astonished, there were two crosses a nice Axum cross claimed as Keltish for Euro 10,000 or about. and a Shoa/Guarage cross, for the same price. Now I also see on his list another Axum cross claimed as an Art'Deco Cross for about 470,00. I had tried to get in touch with the seller, but via Ebay I couldn.t find a possible contact address. Really ashame. But I have noticed a lot of misclaim concerning Ethiopian items. Rather frustrating because it definitely spoils the market for the authentic items.
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