Code: 114

OBJECT STUDY

Cast bronze pendant in the Ethiopian Coptic tradition, likely 19th century. The form is a four-pointed cross with rounded terminal lobes, oriented on a diagonal axis. Front face carries dense hand-incised decoration: a raised circular halo ring edged with uniform radial tick-marks, enclosing a quartered cross motif with small punched circles at each intersection. The four lateral arms bear additional cross-and-circle stampwork. Reverse is undecorated, showing raw cast surface with visible porosity, minor pitting, and uneven tool marks consistent with lost-wax or open-mold casting. Patina is warm reddish-bronze overall, with darkened oxidation pooling in incised channels. A bulbed suspension loop is integral to the casting. The chain is darkly oxidized link-and-rolo, considerably later in date, fitted with a small spring-ring closure.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

• Material: Cast bronze pendant
• Surface: Hand-incised radial and circle-punch decoration, both faces differ
• Patina: Warm copper-brown, dark oxide in recesses
• Chain: Oxidized dark metal, rolo-link, spring-ring closure
• Total length: 61 cm
• Origin: Ethiopian Coptic devotional tradition, approx. 19th century