Ethiopian Coptic Cross Amulet

Engraved diamonds and X shapes cover this cross like a tiny woven mat.

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. Worn at the neck, a cross is generally understood in Ethiopian Christian tradition as a sign of faith and a mark of belonging to the church. Slim upright and short bar are covered in crisscross engraving bordered with rows of dots. The surface is dark with bright lines in the cuts. A modest loop hangs at the top. It is 1.5 inches long and 2 high.

A great deal of pattern packed onto a small canvas.