• Antique Handcrafted Silver Ethiopian Coptic Crosses, Circa late 1800s (Origin: Ethiopia; Collected: Ethiopia)
• Handcrafted Black Glass Rounds from Bohemia, Circa late 1800s or early 1900s (Origin: Bohemia; Collected: Africa)
• Black Onyx Round Gemstones
• Handcrafted Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp from Bali
• Sterling Silver Spacers and Findings
• Length: 16.5”

N0908-152: $625.00 (free S&H)

Click Here to return to the Artifacts Collection Page.

ETHIOPIAN COPTIC (CHRISTIAN) CROSSES : These wonderful handmade Coptic Crosses are from Ethiopia. The cross is the among the most visible symbols and evidence of Christianity in Ethiopia. As a central religious motif the cross was made as a single piece or associated with other visible arts. Designs are varied because of the different regions. The crosses are generally named after towns or provinces where they are made. For more than 1,600 years Ethiopians have worn neck crosses. Most often they are given at baptism and are worn as symbols or badges of their faith. Many of the crosses were made using the lost wax method or cut from a Maria Theresa dollar. This particular old cross was handcrafted from silver alloy and dates to the early 1900s. It was made in Ethiopia and collected in Africa.

BOHEMIAN GLASS TRADE BEADS: Many Bohemian glass beads were made in a molding method. These beads were probably made using the Prosser technique which is a special type of molding. Brothers Richard and Thomas Prosser invented a machine in 1840 to accomplish an almost seamless and precise mold. The machine subjects a pellet of clay mixed with other ingredients to pressure in a die. Then they are fired and the finished beads are fairly exact in form. Prosser beads will have seams but they are hard to spot. On the more expensive beads (such as these), the flash or seam was ground off manually.