Post Medieval 'Primitive Man' Statue

A silver mani in fede ring featuring an expanded bezel designed as crudely engraved clasped hands with collared sleeves. 2.84 grams, 21.63 mm overall, 18.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.

The 'hands clasped in faith' imagery represents the hands of the couple joined in marriage in this and earlier periods.

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 mixed group of bronze military buttons with repoussé heraldic motifs, and a cap badge of the Royal Artillery Corp. 240 grams total, 15-41 mm

Fair condition.

Found by John Harrison whilst searching with a metal detector in South Yorkshire, UK.