Prayer Staff (Chin Rest)

Object/Artifact

-

Frances M. Maguire Art Museum

Ethiopian Chin Rest

Ethiopian Chin Rest

Name/Title

Prayer Staff (Chin Rest)

Entry/Object ID

2003.14.2

Description

Ethiopian prayer staff or chin rest made of wood and hammered and chased nickel.

Use

The chin rests were used in Ethiopia during prayers, where priests and other religious entities would rest their chin while praying for long periods of time. Each chin rest is unique in its height and ornamentation.

Made/Created

Place

Country

Ethiopia

Continent

Africa

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Chin rest

Height

6-1/2 in

Width

5-1/4 in

Material

Wood, Nickel

Interpretative Labels

Label

An Ethiopian church service lasts several hours, almost all of it standing. Clergy and congregation frequently use prayer staffs to lean on for support. These staffs also serve as batons for the clergy and choir in liturgical dances when they are moved from side to side and elevated above the head in rhythm with the music of drums and sistra.

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Saint Joseph's University purchase