Processional cross
date: label: Date
content: 15th century
name: label: Maker
content: Ethiopian Orthodox
notes: label: Label Text
content: Christianity has a long history in Ethiopia, dating from its introduction in Aksum under the reign of King Azana in about A.D. 330. Its spread among the peoples of the highlands, and the arrival of nine monks from Syria toward the end of the fifth century, is said to have introduced monasticism to Ethiopia and to have contributed strongly to the production and use of liturgical objects.
label: Label Text
content: The cross is perhaps the most pervasive symbolic artifact. Every member of the clergy carries a cross at all times. The most beautiful and intricate are the processional crosses used in ceremonies and festivals throughout the liturgical calendar. They are mounted on long poles and sheltered by canopies and parasols of silk and velvet.
label: Label Text
content: This cross, dating from the 15th century, was cast in one piece from a copper alloy. Later crosses, for which the favored material was brass, typically have separate arms and shafts joined with rivets. This cross has a design characteristic of those found in the monolithic churches at Lalibela in North Central Ethiopia. The overall shape is circular, with an edging of crosses. The interior portion is composed of crosses within crosses.
label: Description
content: Cast copper alloy 1 piece processional cross composed of an openwork circular form of radiating miniature crosses, a central equal armed cross and semicircular brackets topped by scrolled hooks, with an overall deep red patina.
label: Provenance
content: Joseph and Patricia Brumit, Sun City West, -- to 2004
label: Published References
content: Kreamer, Christine Mullen. 2012. African Cosmos: Stellar Arts. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; New York: Monacelli Press, p. 166, no. 8.9.
label: Content Statement
content: As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
label: Image Requests
content: High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
place: label: Geography
content: Ethiopia
topic: label: Topic
content: Male use
label: Topic
content: cross
label: Topic
content: male
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African Art Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Joseph and Patricia Brumit
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African Art
identifier: label: Object number
content: 2004-7-8
objectType: label: Type
content: Sculpture
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: Copper alloy
label: Dimensions
content: H x W x D: 27.7 x 14.3 x 2.3 cm (10 7/8 x 5 5/8 x 7/8 in.)