Ethiopian Coptic Cross Amulet

Scratchy cut-outs and tiny dotted lobes make this one look pleasantly unfinished.

This coptic cross amulet is Ethiopian Orthodox, from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the 19th or early 20th century. It is coin silver & fine silver. Silver crosses of this kind were often made by hand-working or casting metal, sometimes from melted coins, which gave smiths a familiar and portable source of silver. Pierced diamond-shaped body with cut slots and incised lines, edged by small lobes marked with dots and X shapes. A bright paper tag hangs from the top. The metal is pale, rough and irregular. It is 1.5 inches long and 2.25 high.

Cheerfully chaotic, and every line meant.