rosary workshop - museum
18c CORAL FILIGREE
ROSARY
LATE 1700s WITH FACETED CORAL BEADS
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6 decades of rare, faceted coral beads with silver filigree beads and reliquary. This rosary was purchased in Rothenburg Germany in 1997 at a small antique shop in the old section of the walled city. A Rare find with its faceted coral beads which are nicely matched in size and color. 13.5 in. CONFIGURATION
- FACETED CORAL BEADS
Private Collection. Not for sale |
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While in Germany I asked an antiques dealer why there was so much value put on coral rosaries and, it was explained that coral rosaries were favored by people during this period because [they believed] that coral had 'special healing properties,' and helped with blood circulation problems. These rosaries were looked on as 'strengthening ones emotions,' and helped one to have a more 'loving and harmonious nature.' It was also considered to 'influence one spiritually and intuitively' symbolizing the teaching thereof. |
~ CONFIGURATION ~
This rosary has 6 decades of rare, faceted coral with 7 silver filigree Pater beads, a Credo Creuz and a Reliquary. Whole rosary measured 13.5 in. It has been restrung, originally loosely strung on a cord or string so the beads would slide as they were counted, prayed, told or said. |
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~ FACETED CORAL BEADS ~
The 7 mm Ave beads are faceted coral which was very
very popular for many centuries after it became available for use.
The 7 Paters are silver filigree. It was not unusual for various Pater
Noster guilds (cottage industries) to specialize in coral or other semi
precious stones (filigree rosary makers were generally women and children
located in Austria and Bavaria).
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~ CREDO CRUZ ~
The small 'Credo Cross' (Creed) with its tiny flower gracing the center, is especially lovely with its fine detail. It was a reminder after the Creed was prayed to then say 'pray for an increase in Faith, Hope and Love' before entering the next 3 Ave. beads on the pendant. (Council of Trent) |
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~ RELIQUARY BOX ~
This little silver
filigree medallion is called a reliquary box These boxes probably
gained their name from earlier rosaries that originally contained
the saints relics imaged - but then simply became a puffy filigree, two
faced medal. Many of the filigree rosaries did not have crosses or crucifixes
below the credo cross, but instead had medallions honored kings, saints
and other favorite devotions including Mary holding the child Jesus as
shown below left. 2 in Silver Reliquary box shows Mary and Jesus
on one side and St. Joseph (?) on the other.
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return to antique rosary museum index |
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