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 is a rather large example of a beautifully worked Lalibela cross from Ethiopia.
It measures 13 X 10 cm including the bail. The back is also decorated, though not as elaborately:
beautiful cross with intricate pattern like interweaving (reminds me of the Haussa style in Niger)!
Very nice work!
Lovely cross Betty, there are not so many around of these crosses, now in new materials and production more, the smaller ones are even more rare. Very nicely done, kept simple. I like it.
Gr. Ingrid.
Thank you Eva and Ingrid! I also rather like it and have even worn it yesterday. It certainly is an eye-catcher.
Do you happen to know if these crosses were actually worn and by whom? They seem a bit large for every day use.
The previous owner of this one said it was bought by her grandparents in Egypt at the beginning of the 20th Century. However, it neither looks very old to me... nor did I pay an antique piece's price:-))
@ Eva: as far as I know, the interweaving symbolises eternal life - it also resembles Celtic crosses and patterns that why people often thing these crosses are of Celtic origin.
I love this - so simple and well balanced and beautifully crafted. One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism is also an Endless Knot. I wonder where else this symbol occurs and how it is translated in each case.
Thelma, the Haussa (ethnic Group mainly in Niger) use this Symbol for decorations on tissues, clothes and houses. Who else I do not know.
These large sized silver crosses are mostly worn by the higher church nobilities. The interwoven designs are church designs and do have meaning which I do not know, they also are used in the beautiful knotted woolen carpets. I think these patterns are also used in other byzantine churches. I do not think it to be from the beginning of the 20th century. Neckcrosses apart of the solomonic shapes are of a later design and fashion period. I would place it more to 1950. It has a lovely soft pattina at he back side. The eye(for the string) looks more new, could have been redone, because if daily worn and silver it would have been very thinned out. A cross of good clean lines and a warm pattina. Good find Betty.
Thanks a lot for the information, Ingrid.
Yes, I remember that the ceilings in the Lalibela rock churches, for example, also showed endless knots. I must do some research on this topic...
I agree with you that the cross is more likely to be mid-century. The eye doesn't seem to have been replaced, or if, it was done very carefully. It shows some moderate signs of wear, but overall the piece has not been worn for too long. I'm also intrigued by the metal alloy it's made of which has red-gold tinge (though less reddish that the usual copper alloys). Anyway, I liked it because of the careful craftsmanship and the beautiful and simple design.
Thanks Eva. Long time since you mentioned the endless knot on Hausa clothes. But yes, I remember the pattern embroidered on West African robes. Sometimes it seems to be a tribal pattern ... at others associated with religion.
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