Rare Antique Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Cross Silver Pendant With Gold Plating

Description

This is a antique handmade authentic Ethiopian Orthodox Christian cross pendant which measures 2.19 inches long by 1.28 inches wide. Excellent condition but much of the gold plating has worn off. The bail has a slight worn through spot. Still is string able on thick material. This is a rare antique silver pendant with gold painting / plating residue which comes from Ethiopia. I combine shipping on multiple orders so please check out my ebay store Mountainamma's Marketplace where I have thousands of items to browse through from Africa and beyond. For buyers of multiple items message me before checking out for help combining shipping fees.
Ethiopian Christians have worn neck crosses for over 1,600 years and the symbolic art of the cross is a very important part of their religious life which expresses their love, belief and devotion to God.
Hardly any silver was mined in Ethiopia therefore the Maria Theresa Thaler silver coin served as the primary source of silver used by Ethiopian metalsmiths to create articles of jewelry such as this antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian neck cross. The different designs of Ethiopian cross pendants represent towns or areas of the Ethiopian highlands. These antique silver crosses are either cast by the lost wax method using melted Maria Theresa Thaler coins or cut right from a Maria Theresa Thaler coin. These antique Ethiopian Coptic crosses were worn a lifetime and passed down through generations and were often repaired by the metalsmiths when needed.