Rare Emperor Haile Selassie Imperial Brass Plaque — St. Christopher & Lion of Judah
Discover a truly remarkable vestige of East African royal history. This heavy, solid brass structural insignia plaque was traditionally mounted to high-ranking imperial property—such as royal palace ceremonial chairs, state carriages, or the dashboard of an imperial court automobile—during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.
This magnificent artifact beautifully bridges deep Ethiopian Orthodox tradition with international sovereign styling, featuring:
St. Christopher Medallion: The left side features a beautifully struck, high-relief circular medal of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child through turbulent waters, captioned "ST. CHRISTOPHE". As the patron saint of travelers and protection, this medallion heavily points to the plaque’s prestigious placement on royal transport or an elite traveler's imperial chair.
The Lion of Judah: The center features a crisp, engraved depiction of the crowned Imperial Lion of Judah holding the sovereign banner staff.
Amharic Script: Below the lion is an authentic vintage Ge'ez/Amharic inscription indicating its official royal designation or registration number within the imperial court.
Flanked by two original mounting eyelets, this heavy brass plate carries an exceptional weight and a stunning, authentic golden-brass patina with deep historical character. It is an investment-grade piece for serious collectors of royal memorabilia, Ethiopian diaspora historians, and numismatic/militaria enthusiasts.
Origin: Ethiopia (Imperial Court / Palace Provenance)
Era: Reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I (mid-20th Century)
Material: Heavy Solid Brass / Bronze Alloy
Mounting: Dual integrated side eyelets for secure screw/nail mounting
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The brass exhibits minor surface character marks, crisp engravings, and an untouched, aged patina that beautifully highlights the high-relief details of St. Christopher.
Ethiopia’s sovereign history is legendary, and authentic remnants from the 20th-century imperial court remain incredibly scarce. This hand-engraved piece is not merely a collector's item, but a living testament to an era of profound cultural and political significance. Rare pieces of imperial court hardware like this plaque are exceptionally scarce on the open market, making this a generational acquisition for your private collection.