Cross
Mid–/late 15th century
Central Ethiopia Eastern and Southern Africa
Ethiopia
In Ethiopian Christianity processional crosses in wood or metal are carried on tall wooden staffs and draped with rich fabrics during festivals and ceremonies. The blank area in the center of this example, which incorporates copper for the decorative finial, bronze for the shaft, and brass for the joining rivets, may have been intended for an image that was never realized. The stylized bird heads on the sides of the shaft are a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
Copper, bronze, and brass