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an image of a snowflake is displayed on a black backgrounda silver snowflake that is on a black surfacea silver snowflake that is on top of a metal pole
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84 - PROCESSIONAL CROSS ETHIOPIAN ART, TIGRAY, 1913–1914 In silve…
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
PROCESSIONAL CROSS ETHIOPIAN ART, TIGRAY, 1913–1914 In silver 53 x 39 cm (20 7?8 × 15 3?8 in.) A processional cross, Ethiopian art, Tigray, 1913–1914 We would like to thank Mr Jacques Mercier, an Ethiopian art historian, for writing this description. Provenance: Collection of Jean-Jacques Rotthier (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family This cross was donated by a military nobleman to a monastery whose location is currently unknown. It is adorned with very intricate engravings. Side 1: Saint George on horseback (‘Saint George’), the Archangel (wings added to the portrait of the Saviour of the World), the Crucified Christ without a cross.  Inscription: ‘Cross of the fitawrari Telahun’, ‘Year of Grace 1906’ (Gregorian calendar: 1913–14). Side 2: Continuation of the inscription on side 1: ‘who donated it to Däbrä Ferkuta, [church] Covenant of Grace’. Images: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, the Annunciation. Inscriptions: ‘Saint Michael’, ‘Saint Gabriel’, ‘[Mary] with her beloved son’. A PROCESSIONAL CROSS ETHIOPIAN ART, TIGRAY, 1913–1914 Silver 20 7?8 × 15 3?8 in. We would like to thank Mr Jacques Mercier, a specialist in Ethiopian art history, for authoring this catalogue entry. Provenance: Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent This cross was donated by a military nobleman to a monastery whose location remains unknown today. It is decorated with exceptionally fine engravings. Side 1: Saint George on horseback (“Saint George”), an archangel (wings added to the portrait of the Saviour of the World), and the Crucified Christ without the Cross. Inscription: “Cross of the fitawrari Telahun”, “Year of Grace 1906” (corresponding to 1913–1914 in the Gregorian calendar). Side 2: Continuation of the inscription from Side 1: “who donated it to Däbrä Ferkuta, [the church of] the Covenant of Grace.” Images: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and the Virgin and Child. Inscriptions: “Saint Michael”, “Saint Gabriel”, “[Mary] with her beloved Son.”
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About the sale The Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection: Art from Africa and Oceania
Auction location
Auction time 09/08/2026 at 4:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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