What: An engraved silver cross, made in 1831-1839, taken from Magdala, given by Lords of the Admiralty

Where: The Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL

The catalogue entry reads: “In 1868 it was taken by British troops at the siege of Maqdala (Magdala or Mek’dala). The same year, the Lords of the Admiralty placed it on loan at the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum).”

Description:
Processional cross. At the top is a representation of God, the Father, framed by four Apostles. The Ascension of Mary is depicted in the centre of the cross. On the right side is Mary and Jesus, accompanied by the Archangels Michael (right) and Gabriel (left). The left side shows the Dormition of Mary (above) and her entombment (below), between which is David playing his harp. At lower left is Saint George slaying the dragon to save the princess Cleodolinda, the latter known in Ethiopia as Brituwit (i.e. from Beirut). The inverted arch supporting the cross normally would have a depiction of Christ but in this case, and very unusually, the Devil is profiled and the singular eye both identifying him and representing evil.

Museum number:
M.25-2005

What: A brass processional cross bought for £3 from Major Holland

Where: The Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL

The catalogue entry reads: “Processional cross. Brass, quatrefoil centre surrounded with openwork circle of crosses, with socket. Abyssinian. Price £3.0.0. Purchased from Major Holland. Date of receipt from stores 26th April 1869…

“The vendor may have been Major Trevenen James Holland who, with a military colleague, Sir Henry Montague Hozier, provided the only official account of the expedition on the orders of the Secretary of State for War. Their Record of the Expedition to Abyssinia was published in two volumes in 1870.”

Museum number:
1732-1869