FOUR PROCESSIONAL COPTIC CROSSES AND A TRIPTYCH FRAGMENT OF SAINT PETER
Ethiopia (Abyssinia), 19th and early 20th century

Comprising three Coptic openwork copper alloy processional crosses, each representing a different regional style, one from Gondar decorated with a succession of intricate cruciform and knotwork patterns, with four angels in the centre, 38.2cm x 31cm; another from Lalibela, with its typical drop-like shape, engraved with the Crucifixion, 35.5cm x 17.4cm; the third from Amhara, decorated in the centre with a circular cartouche representing the Nativity scene on one side, and three saints on the other, dense knotwork bands all around and more Christian figural iconography on the base of the shaft, 39.5cm x 22cm; another openwork Coptic cross, made of wood, 34cm x 13.2cm; and a wooden fragment of an Ethiopian triptych painted in egg-tempera and portraying Saint Peter holding a processional cross, mounted and framed, 8cm x 6cm the fragment.

Provenance of the crosses depicting the Crucifixion and Nativity scenes: Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen, Dusseldorf, Germany, 9 - 11 November 2017, part of lot 157.

Provenance of the Gondar cross: Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen, Dusseldorf, Germany, 4 - 5 November 2016, lot 218.