rosary workshop - museum
 19c SILVER 'TENNERS'
TRADITIONALLY A MAN'S ROSARY
Traditionally, tenners were little pocket rosaries of 10 beads, one fifth of the standard five decade rosary carried today.  The full rosary consists of 15 decades and we see these worn on the belt by many religious as part of their garments.  Because they are cumbersome to carry around, the five decade 'necklace' rosary or 'chaplet'  became popular.  The 'pocket' or 'wrist rosary' or 'tenner' is now enjoying a comeback and being used by women and children, as well as men.

CONFIGURATION   -   BEADS
CREDOS & CRUCIFIXES

These were purchased in Ober Ammergau, Germany and are from a private collection. They were dated between 1850-60 by the antique dealer. Made in Schwabish Gmund (Upper Bavaria)

~ CONFIGURATION ~

 This is a traditional circlet or crown 10 bead chaplet.  Sometimes they were not looped into a circle but prayed as a string of beads either chained or strung on a cord.  These two chained tenners use the traditional heart center for a juncture off of which the pendant hangs.  'AndenKen' is inscribed on the heart of both. We thought it was the name of the manufacturer but read below:

'ANDENKIN'
 Kevin McDermott wrote: "It is not a name, but the inscription '(zum) Andenken' which means 'in memory of' in the full form with 'zum', or just 'remembrance'. It is possible this rosary was made, and/or used, as a funeral gift to mourners; but '(zum) Andenken' is also very frequently found on purchased souvenir items in German-speaking lands -- in fact, it means just what 'souvenir' does to us. Because there's no personal name engraved on the rosary, I think it's likely this little Zehner was the memento of a pilgrimage somewhere.  I hope this will be of interest to you. Sincerely, Kevin McDermott (thanks Kevin, RW)

~ BEADS ~

The beads on the first tenner (upper) appear to be older and more worn than the second (lower). It is a hollow bead which is generally constructed in two parts then soldered together. Each is individually  formed by hammering or pressing a thin, flat sheet of silver into a mold.

~ CREDOS & CRUCIFIXES ~

The pendant of the first tenner, the older of the two,  has the 'credo cross' above the crucifix. Once the Creed had been recited, one was reminded to ask for an increase of faith, hope and love. The Credo Cross was added during the Council of Trent (1545 - 1563)

 There may have been a credo cross on the newer one (top).  It may have been lost or removed. The following little prayer for an increase of faith, hope and charity was dropped during the late 19th century according to our source in Germany, although many people still ask while praying the rosary today. It is still said in our church during the recitation of the rosary today.
 

return to antique rosary museum index