Ethiopian Wooden Hand Cross

This fine hand cross has been carved from a single piece of dark wood. It is pierced and has been carved on both sides. It has the most splendid patina and very obvious, significant age.

It follows a Greek patee cross with inscribing circles with rays along the diagonals, based on a ‘cosmic’ wheel motif.

Hand crosses are a defining emblem of the Ethiopian priesthood. They were used as emblems of position as well as the vehicle to dispense blessings during eucharistic services and during processions.

Often they were highly personalised objects and even carved by the clergy themselves.  According to Myers Achi (2023, p. 232) some of the earliest written references to wood crosses date to the end of the 15th century.

The simplicity of this cross and its extraordinary patina from perhaps hundreds of years of use have charged with holy power.

The shaft ends in a counter-balancing terminal carved with zig-zag and cross motifs. It has cracked from age and use and been repaired with wire to hold the two halves in place and this repair and the repairing wire themselves have wonderful patina from age and use.

The shaft has remnants of engraved carving but the wear from handling is such that the shaft has largely been worn smooth.

The cross is accompanied by an attractive, custom-made black metal display stand.