Processional Cross Ethiopia
Ethopia adopted Christianity all the way back in the fourth century
during the reign of their emperor Ezana. It is believed that Ezana was thought
the religion of Christianity through merchants, and was most likely influeneced
to adopt it in efforts to solidify a trading relationship with the Roman Empire.
Emperor Enza was the first world leader to put the cross on coins, which is an
example of Christian material culture from Ethiopia.
Another example of Ethiopian Christian material culture is the Processional crosses. They are commonly made of bronze, or less commonly, iron or silver. In the Ethiopian Orthodox liturgy, processional crosses play many key roles, “during worship, priests use the crosses, mounted on poles, to bless the congregation, the baptismal water, the sacraments, and the four corners of the church. When taken out of the church and carried in religious processions, their pierced designs create dramatic silhouettes against the sky.” (https://collections.dma.org) As the only liturgical object visible to worshippers during the celebration of mass, Ethiopian processional crosses tend to be elaborate. Various frames and finials often adorn the central cross, which may be further enriched with incised or stamped decoration.
The
cross pictured above was created in the province of Tigray, near the Red Sea,
the birthplace of Ethiopia's earliest kingdom and of Christianity in Africa. This
impressive creation, in which a highly unusual interplay of materials affords
rich tonal contrasts, is a tour de force. Tour de force meaning it is a
impressive artifact crafted with great skill. Applied metal inlays solidify the
carved wood structure. Each side being elaborately distinct makes it one of its
kind. The cross became the object of intense devotion soon after the conversion
of the Aksumite empire to Christianity around 330 A.D. Processional crosses of
the seventeenth century are rare due to sixteenth century Islamic incursions
that devastated the region. A metal socket surrounded by two loops was used to
affix this processional cross to a wooden staff, allowing it to be carried and
held during liturgical services and processions. The loops held colorful cloths
symbolizing the veil of Mary.
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Windmuller-Luna, Kristen. “Processional
Crosses.” Https://Www.metmuseum.org/, 2014, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317877.
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“Processional Cross.” DMA Collection Online,
2014, collections.dma.org/artwork/3267802.
Marcus, my man, I really enjoyed your post. I almost included these in my own but instead I discussed the gospel leaflets. I read up on one of the other processional crosses but I didn't actually get to reading about this one. Do you know, or rather, did it say what technique was used to create this cross? I read about the African people using a method called lost-wax when they made intricate metal works, but it would be interesting to read about their other methods. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcus,
ReplyDeleteI also did one of my blog posts this week on the Ethiopian cross. This cross caught my eye because it is so similar yet so different to the crosses that appear in the United States today. I wonder why the cross in the United States is so much more simple than the one in Ethiopia? Anyway, you did a great job explaining this piece's purpose.
Amanda Garrett
Hi Marcus!
ReplyDeleteI like how much detail you provided on how much skill was needed to make such elaborate pieces of art with the basis of a cross. The Axumite people were very creative and the shift of creating paganistic art to Christian art must've been difficult, but it seems like they got their creative needs dealt with just fine with these very decorative pieces, with all of the different techniques and materials used. Great post!