Post Medieval Double Phallic Amulet

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. 500 grams, 29 cm high (43 cm high including stand)



Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.

Ethiopian 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.

A gold pendant formed as a frame-harp with scrolls to the angles and openwork 'strings'; three pearl drops to the lower body, suspension loop above. 3.55 grams, 32 mm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

A gold finger ring with segmented hoop, cupped bezel with rosette to the underside, inset jasper cloison with intaglio advancing balatro jester playing pan-pipes while a dog jumps at his lower legs. 8.27 grams, 30.52 mm overall, 18.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



English private collection.