As an object sanctified by the blood of Christ, the cross is a vital element of religious practices in Ethiopia, serving as a powerful symbol of triumph and protection.

Processional crosses are mounted on a long staff and carried by priests during religious ceremonies. Because crosses represent the crucified figure of Christ, processional crosses are “dressed” with rich, colorful fabrics when in use. As a result, the crosses incorporate openings designed for securing these cloths while the crosses are carried along their processional routes during festivals, such as Epiphany.

The brass processional cross was traditionally made through the lost-wax casting process, in which the cross is first crafted in wax then covered in clay and fired. During the firing process, the wax melts and flows out of the clay mold. The crevice is then filled with molten brass, and after the metal hardens, the clay mold is broken to reveal a brass cross. Because the mold is destroyed, the lost-wax casting process produces a unique cross each time.

Each of the three religious centers in Ethiopia—Aksum, Gondar, and Lalibela—has its own specific style. Rounded processional crosses, like the one shown here, are characteristic of Aksumite design.

—Julia Kim Werts, PhD, History of Art and Archaeology, Cornell University