Processional cross with Ge'ez inscription

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Processional cross with Ge'ez inscription

Place of OriginEthiopia

Datelate 19th century

DimensionsH: 18 13/16 in. (47.8 cm); W: 14 1/4 in. (35.9 cm); Base Diam: 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)

MediumSilver

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family

Object number

2006.71

Not on View

Collections

Sculpture

Exhibition HistoryBaltimore, MD, Walters Art Museum; Salem, MA, Peabody Essex Museum; Toledo, OH, Toledo Museum of Art, Ethiopia at the Crossroads, Dec. 3, 2023 - Nov. 10, 2024.Label TextEthiopia has been a Christian nation since the year 330. Crosses like this one are carried in church processions. The silversmith made this cross by melting 43 Maria Theresa thalers, a 28-gram silver bullion coin that has been minted continuously since 1741 for world trade. The inscription on the cross reads: “This cross belongs to Bitweded Mengesha, head of nobles, lover of God and people, who donated it to Medhane Alem [Savior of the World].” The name in the inscription may refer to Ras Bitweded (Prince) Mengesha Atakim of Tigray, one of the leaders of the Ethiopian army that defeated an Italian invasion in 1896 at the Battle of Adowa.