Cross
Mid–/late 15th century
Medium
Copper, bronze, and brass
Dimensions
36.9 × 22.9 cm (14 1/2 × 9 in.)
Classification
cross
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
186387
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In Ethiopian Christianity processional crosses in wood or metal are carried on tall wooden staffs and draped with rich fabrics during festivals and ceremonies. The blank area in the center of this example, which incorporates copper for the decorative finial, bronze for the shaft, and brass for the joining rivets, may have been intended for an image that was never realized. The stylized bird heads on the sides of the shaft are a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...