I am proud to offer this hinged, antique, handmade authentic, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian cross pendant which measures 1.97 inches long by 1.08 inches wide. Excellent condition but some of the gold plating has worn off. This is a hinged antique silver pendant with gold painting / plating residue which comes from Ethiopia. I combine shipping on multiple orders to help you save money so please check out my ebay store where I have thousands of items to browse. F...or buyers of multiple items please email me when you are done shopping for your custom made invoice with combined shipping & insurance fees. Ethiopian Christians have worn neck crosses for over 1, 600 years and the symbolic art of the cross is a very important part of their religious life which expresses their love, belief and devotion to God. Hardly any silver was mined in Ethiopia therefore the Maria Theresa Thaler silver coin served as the primary source of silver used by Ethiopian metalsmiths to create articles of jewelry such as this antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian neck cross. The different designs of Ethiopian cross pendants represent towns or areas of the Ethiopian highlands. These antique silver crosses are either cast by the lost wax method using melted Maria Theresa Thaler coins or cut right from a Maria Theresa Thaler coin. These antique Ethiopian Coptic crosses were worn a lifetime and passed down through generations and were often repaired by the metalsmiths when needed.