From the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century BC, the Empire of Kush in Ethiopia was ruled by a line of independent female rulers called the Candace’s or Kandake. Queen Candace of 332BC denied Alexander the Great entry into Kush and deterred him on one of his military campaigns, causing him to overtake the weaker Egypt instead. Queen Candace set a standard for excellence and stability with a female dominated society leading a female warrior class.
Each Ethiopian cross has several different designs and pattern which convey meaning. The intricate lattice work symbolises everlasting life. The bottom represents the Arc of the Covenant, a sacred religious artifact believed to still reside in Ethiopia.
Spindle Whorls have been used world-wide for thousands of years, originally as tools in the cotton spinning industry. In more recent years they have become much sought after as interesting beads for collectors and students of ancient African history. Modern replicas, in a variety of shapes, but usually with traditional decoration, are often seen in bead markets throughout Africa, with Mali being the country most often associated with modern production. In Djenné, the oldest city in Mali, where many Whorls used to be made, they are known as ‘Kolo’ in the Bambara language, meaning as strong as (cow) bone.
All stock ships from the Gold Coast in Queensland. The standard order processing time is 1 – 3 business days. By placing an order for goods you agree that your details, such as name, contact numbers, delivery address can be passed to those third-party couriers. While we aim to get your order delivered to you within 5 – 10 working days, in the unlikely event of extended delays, we will endeavor to inform you. Any questions or follow up regarding delivery can be directed by email to info@empiresofthesun.com.au.
All deliveries will require a signature to ensure the parcel arrives in the hands of the correct person. This cost is included in the delivery fee. Empires of the Sun cannot be held responsible for late or failed deliveries for reasons outside our control e.g. third-party couriers or in the case of adverse weather conditions. Empires of the Sun inspects and takes due diligence while packing your order to ensure it arrives in the best possible condition. All orders must be inspected upon delivery and any breakages must be reported and photographed within 24 hours of receiving your order.
Please enquire about your specific delivery timeframes prior to purchase if you require express shipping.
Empires of the Sun designs hand-crafted items using unique and antique materials. Each piece may be crafted by many hands, from artisans all over the world. Because of this, each piece contains imperfections due to its handmade nature. To us, it's perfectly imperfect.
We make every effort to portray our goods as 'true to life' as possible. However, due to image photography, compression, different screen resolutions and displays, some colours might be slightly different. To have the best indication of true colour, please ensure you view all images and any accompanying videos. If for some reason you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact us via info@empiresofthesun.com.au or Facebook.
We do not accept returns for 'change of mind' sales. We will accept refunds for broken and damaged items as long as the items are returned to us. We stand by our craftsmanship, and in the unlikely case that your jewellery breaks due to craftsmanship issues, we will repair and return it to you free of charge. However, if any breakages occur due to dropping, impact damage or any cause outside of craftsmanship, no returns will be accepted.
Please feel free to contact us at info@empiresofthesun or on Facebook for more information.
