Cross - Alloy - the 20th century - Coptic pectoral cross

Coptic- Ethiopian portable pectoral cross with a multi-colour icon opening – Silver alloy – 20th century, rare both for its size and weight Origin: Ethiopia Tradition: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Era: 20th century, presumably first half (indicative attribution) Material: Silver-colored alloy, composition not analyzed Technique: Hand metalwork, raised geometric interlace decorations and polychrome painting Dimensions: 9 × 6 cm Weight: 132 grams Condition: Good overall, with patina, wear and surface alterations compatible with age and use. Description Interesting devotional Ethiopian pectoral cross, belonging to the Tewahedo Orthodox Christian tradition, characterized by a particular articulated structure with an openable painted icon. The artifact features a metal cross decorated with elaborate interlaced geometric motifs, typical of the ornamental repertoire of Ethiopian sacred art. The peculiarity of the object lies in its opening mechanism: a second cross, adorned with multicolored religious depictions, is connected to the structure by a hinge and can be flipped, fitting perfectly into the metal body when closed. The sacred images, rendered in the traditional Ethiopian figurative language, display stylized figures, large and pronounced eyes, dark outlines, and a palette characterized by blues, reds and ochre. Iconography includes a depiction of the Crucifixion and additional sacred figures. The metal surface retains an inhomogeneous patina, with darkening in recesses and wear marks on the reliefs. Inside the suspension ring there is a friable white crusty deposit of unidentified nature, preserved without cleaning. The object testifies to the tradition of small portable Ethiopian icons, intended for personal devotion and characterized by the meeting of goldsmithing art, Christian symbolism and religious painting. Condition: complete artifact, with functioning opening and closing mechanism. There is superficial wear, patina, small irregularities and alterations of the polychromy, as visible in the photographs. Note: the dating is proposed on a stylistic and typological basis. The composition of the metal alloy has not been verified by instrumental analysis.

Estimate:$167.94

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