rosary workshop - museum
18c CORAL  FILIGREE ROSARY
LATE 1700s WITH FACETED CORAL BEADS
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.

CONFIGURATION   -   FACETED CORAL BEADS

CREDO CROSS   -   RELIQUARY BOX

 Private Collection.

ABOUT CORAL
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 ~

6 DECADE ROSARY OF RARE FACETED CORAL

~ FACETED CORAL BEADS ~

The 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).  Faceted coral beads are not seen very often simply because they were coveted by their owners and collectors. The Paters are traditionally silver filigree beads along with the Credo and Crucifix or Medallion.

CORAL WAS BELIEVED TO CONTAIN HEALING POWERS

~ CREDO CROSS ~

The small 'Credo Cross' (Creed) 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)

A TINY FLOWER GRACES ...

~ 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 inaged - 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.

OBVERSE: MARY AND JESUS - REVERSE: ST JOSEPH (?)

return to antique rosary museum index