Cross pendant

Ethiopia

late 19th–early 20th century

Silver

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A silver Ethiopian cross pendant with intricate openwork and interwoven geometric patterns. The pendant has a loop at the top for attachment. Ethiopia was the first African nation to adopt Christianity, more than 1600 years ago. By the 1400s, Christian art in Ethiopia was flourishing, combining Christian imagery with an expressive use of pattern and form. Nowhere else, for instance, are there so many types of Christian crosses. Gallery G254 Gift of Raymond A. and Ruth A. Reister