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LOT 1475
Ethiopian Maskal Cross with Ge'ez Inscriptions
15TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
11 1/2 in. (16 in.) (500 grams, 29 cm high (43 cm high including stand)).
A large bifacial wooden hand cross with engraved interlace borders and stylised flowers around crosses to one side, and blessing inscriptions in Ge'ez to the other framed by foliage; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceAcquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003.
UK private collection.
Cf. Korabiewicz, W., The Ethiopian cross, Addis Ababa, 1973, figs 3, 4, 5, for similar.
FootnotesEthiopian crosses, called in Amharic Maskal are divided into four main types: a) handcrosses, which can be large (22 to 53 cm) or small (14 to 21cm); b) processional crosses, usually measuring 22-60cm; c) pectoral or neck crosses, measuring 1-10cm; d) apex or architectural crosses, measuring 50-150cm. Our maskal belongs to the large hand cross category, probably of Havaria group, most common in the Shoa and Gojam provinces. The inscription reads from top to bottom: Sdar Alazar (name of locality) – Egzten nute mäsqäl (cross) on the left side, and Egzten Jesus (on the right side) followed by Adoneh Gavriil – Welde Hannah – Welde Michail. The cross invokes the blessing of God through the three Saints Hannah, Michael, Gabriel, who can be also the names related to the family of the priest who once owned the cross.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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Ancient Style Object Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
A mixed group of archaistic items including a figure of Bastet, a nude female lying supine, a lapis lazuli stamp seal and other items. 199 grams total, 7-52 mm
Acquired 1990s. Ex French collection. -
Ethiopian Maskal of Kernebege Type Hand Cross with Inscription
17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
A bifacial wooden cross comprising intertwined elements with trefoil finials, resting on a tall stem decorated with wavy lines enclosed within a geometric frame, the stem resting on a tabula with an inscription on the front and vegetal decorative element on the back, rhomboidal termination with inscribed cross on both sides; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 600 grams, 43 cm high (50.7 cm high including stand)
Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.
The Ethiopian manual cross is usually divided in three parts: the cross at the top; the handle; and a square element, the tablet, at the base. It is not easy to define the origin of the cross-borne tablets. There are three suppositions as to what they signify: according to one, the tablet represents the earth with its four corners. According to the second one, the tablet represents Adam's grave on Calvary. The third one is that it represents the Tabot, the highest relic of Ethiopia, the Ark of the Covenant. The cross belongs to the Kernebege (Horns of Ram) group, where the tips of the cross are reminiscent of ram's horns or trefoils. Inscriptions are only very rarely found on wooden, manual crosses like this maskal. They usually give the name of the owner or donor. -
Bactrian Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £65
A lapis lazuli necklace composed of coin-shaped beads. 14.8 grams, 80 cm long
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
