Rosary Workshop: Hunt Museum

rosary workshop - Hunt Museum Index
ANTIQUE IRISH ROSARIES
FROM THE HUNT MUSEUM - LIMERICK IRELAND
During a recent trip to Ireland, we asked an antiques dealer why it was so hard to find rosaries in Ireland. She explained it was because of the old custom of burying the rosary with its owner. So when we found the following rosaries at the Hunt Museum in Limerick City, we felt truly blessed.

GALWAY CROSS - PENAL CROSS
ROSARY DIRECTORY - MORE CROSSES

We are grateful to the Hunt for allowing us to share this information with you the students and lovers of the history of the rosary so you may learn more about the precious rosaries of Ireland. All images are used with the permission of the Hunt Museum, Limerick Ireland. Please contact the Hunt directly for use of or further information regarding this collection. (See below)

~ GALWAY CROSS ~

The GALWAY CROSS is made of 2 hollow tubes and is attached to the rosary in an unique way. Instead of a ring at the top of the crucifix, the cord (if strung) is pulled through the length of the tube. The chained rosaries are done in a similar way and the samples below appear to use cord or leather thong. Often a bead is attached to the bottom before the tassel is formed or connected. The arms of the cross carry a continuation of the design. Tassels were often used for functional and ornamental reasons yet carried the symbolism of 'wiping away the tears'. It is interesting that several of the 'tassels' use techniques found in military uniform passementerie (trim).

THE DESIGN (ESPECIALLY THE CORPUS) OF THESE
TUBULAR CRUCIFIXES REFLECTS THE ACTIVE SPANISH INFLUENCE

DURING THE 18th and 19th CENTURIES IN GALWAY BAY, IRELAND

A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE GALWAY ROSARY USING A CENTER. NOTE

THE POSITION OF THE 6 PATER BEADS IN RELATION TO THE 5 DECADES AND
THE PENDANT CONFIGURATION. SEE CLOSE-UP OF CRUCIFIX ABOVE RIGHT.
SILVER AND HORN DATED 18c.
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NOTE THE RED SILK FABRIC CUT INTO THIN
STRIPS TO FORM A TASSEL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CRUCIFIX.

THE ARMS OF THE CROSS ARE FINISHED WITH SMALL GOLDEN
SILK TASSELS
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THE BASE OF THIS CRUCIFIX IS MADE FROM BROWN
SILK STRIPS AND GOLD BOUILLON PASSEMENTERIE (TRIM)

GOLD BOUILLON IS FOUND ON MILITARY UNIFORMS AND GEAR
SUCH AS SWORDS. ALSO FOUND ON FINE TASSELS AND
OTHER ARCHITECTURAL APPOINTMENTS.
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THE PASSEMENTERIE MAY HAVE SIMPLY BEEN AVAILABLE BUT SINCE THE ROSARY IS OFTEN
CALLED A 'WEAPON AGAINST EVIL' WE THOUGHT IT VERY APPROPRIATE.

~ PENAL CROSS ~

'Penal crosses are actually crucifixes that are thought to date back to the the time of the 17th century penal laws against the Roman Catholics in Ireland. These crosses often have symbols of the passion displayed around the corpus. It is likely that many of these penal crosses were produced as devotional souvenirs for pilgrims at Lough Derg. Co. Donegal. Pilgrimages still take place to *Lough Derg every summer.' (The Hunt Museum with permission)

**WOOD PENAL CROSS - 1799 - Ireland**
Obverse	Reverse

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PENAL CROSS
AND ROSARY SEE LINK BELOW

~ ROSARY DIRECTORY ~

HUNT MUSEUM INDEX
An overview of the rosary crosses of Ireland

GALWAY ROSARIES
Unique tubular crucifixes in silver, influenced by the Spanish trade from the Hunt.

PENAL ROSARIES AND CROSSES
18c Penal Rosaries and crosses, a mini history with pictures.

MORE IRISH ROSARIES
Rosaries of amber and ivory, from the 1700s - 1800s

~ MORE CROSSES ~

ON THE OPPOSITE WALL FROM WHERE THE ROSARIES
HANG, THERE ARE A SERIES OF BEAUTIFUL BRONZES FROM

OLD CRUCIFIXES. THEY ARE BELIEVED GERMAN AND DATED 11th

AND 12th c. THE ONE ON THE LOWER LEFT IS ANGLO SAXON, 10c
For more information on this collection and the Hunt Museum go to
HUNT MUSEUM
then to 'online collection'.
scroll down to 'R' (Religious / Ritual equipment) for an
in depth look at the items above and more.
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or write
THE HUNT MUSEUM
The Custom House
Rutland Street, Limerick Ireland
Tel 061 452022

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for more information on
LOUGH DERG

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