Antique Ethiopian Christian Cross Ethnic Coin Silver Pendant Ethiopia, Africa

Description

This is an antique handmade authentic Ethiopian Coptic Christian cross pendant which has tribal repairs (see below) which measures 2.60 inches long by 2 inches wide. Good but worn rustic condition this cross has two tribal repairs to the back of the cross which consists of pieces of coin silver being soldered to the cross to cover damaged or worn through areas. The top repair is under the bail on back and there is still a damaged area visible in the form of a hole along the side of the added metal piece. The front of the cross has three domed circle embellishments one of which is a little dented up and another one has a hole worn through the top of the dome. I also, think this cross has had a new bail put on by the Ethiopian metalsmiths which may not be ethnic coin silver. These crosses were repaired endless as they were worn a lifetime and passed on to other family members. This is an amazing tribally used & worn rustic specimen. This is a rare antique ethnic coin silver pendant from Ethiopia which is very desirable and would look great used in jewelry applications or would fit right into any Ethiopian collection. I combine shipping on multiple orders so please check out my eBay store Mountainamma's Marketplace where I have thousands of items to browse. For buyers of multiple items please use the request invoice button or message me before checking out for help combining shipping fees.
Ethiopian Christians have worn neck crosses for over 1,600 years and the symbolic art of the cross is a very important part of their religious life which expresses their love, belief and devotion to God.
Hardly any silver was mined in Ethiopia therefore the Maria Theresa Thaler silver coin served as the primary source of silver used by Ethiopian metalsmiths to create articles of jewelry such as this antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian neck cross. The different designs of Ethiopian cross pendants represent towns or areas of the Ethiopian highlands. These antique silver crosses are either cast by the lost wax method using melted Maria Theresa Thaler coins or cut right from a Maria Theresa Thaler coin. These antique Ethiopian Coptic crosses were worn a lifetime and passed down through generations and were often repaired by the metalsmiths when needed.