Ethiopian Cross Pendant
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Ethiopian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Finding the Right pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The majority of Ethiopian crosses were made out of brass. They were created using the ‘lost-wax’ casting technique, which accounts for the variety of crosses today. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Ethiopian crosses from top sellers around the world.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The meaning of the Ethiopian cross relates to the religious beliefs of Christians living in Ethiopia and Eritrea, Africa. Its intricate latticework represents the idea that those who follow Christ never die but instead enjoy eternal life in Heaven. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Ethiopian cross decorative objects, jewelry and art.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The meaning of a cross pendant is generally that it is a symbol of the Christian faith. It represents a person’s belief, provides comfort for the wearer, and promotes awareness of the religion. Cross pendants have been worn for centuries and are popular today. Shop a range of antique and vintage cross pendants on 1stDibs.
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