The Vintage Bronze Coptic Cross with Etched Back is thick and blunt-armed, with its ornament incised into the surface rather than modelled on top of it. The front is covered in short parallel strokes laid in alternating blocks, a basket weave that resolves into a second cross standing within the outline of the first. The reverse is worked more lightly, with fine etched lines fanning out from the crossing like feathers or palm fronds.

Crosses of this kind come out of the oldest continuous Christian craft tradition in Africa, where the cross is worn daily rather than kept for Sundays and where geometry does the work that figures do elsewhere. The cross within the cross is the whole statement, one sign repeating inside itself without end, and the hatching that builds it is cut by hand, so no two originals were ever quite alike. There is no lettering on either face and none is wanted. The piece is worked on both sides, which is how a cross meant for constant wear was always made.

The Coptic cross was faithfully reproduced from an antique original and cast in the USA using a traditional fine-detail casting process that preserves its vintage character.

• Made in the USA
• Artisan-cast from an antique original
• Finished by hand, so every piece is subtly unique.
• Buy the medal alone, or add an optional chain or cord necklace
• Add a cord or chain to have it arrive assembled and ready to wear
• Arrives in a deluxe velour jewelry box