RARE Pre-1800 Antique Handmade Stone Beads Paternoster/Rosary-25cm Museum Coll'n
It is very hard to date this paternoster or antique rosary. Most of the items in my collection are made of glass, bone, paste, wood, old plastic, horn or metals.... Most of the early Desert monks or ascetics used stones or perhaps seeds in their natural surrounding to assist in the counting of their prayers. The absence of steel, the make of it, the use of stones, the construction of the rosary suggests it is more or less pre-1800. This rosary has not been altered or cleaned since it was added to my collection. Everything in it is the same as when found. This paternoster came from Bourgogne, (Burgundy) France. It is short in length at 25 cm or a little over 10 inches. It is connected by a group of 3 strings that appears to have been waxed. All materials in this paternoster are original. It would be a very long time before we see another type of this rosary again.
The design, construction and materials used in this rosary suggest it has been handmade through the ancient process of making beads (as shown on a diagram in one of the pictures)......... That of a monk making beads of wood or stones with what we perhaps call wood-turning in today's term.
Each and everyone of the beads.... Including the parts of the cross and the hanging heart pendant are entirely made of natural stones.
Notice the uneven sizes of each bead and each part...... All have been painstakingly hand turned, carved and chiselled, perhaps filed afterwards. You also have to consider the small size of this paternoster. Thus, this rare rosary is a museum piece or a highly collectible item. The presence of a Credo cross suggest that it has German influence.
It is quite logical as Bourgogne (Burgundy) is not too far away from German-influenced areas. This paternoster includes the'drop' which is the five beads from the loop..... But there are 2 round beads instead and an almond-shape bead before the Credo cross. The 5-decade rosary as we see it today did not arrive till the 15th or 16th century but only became universal in about the 18th or 19th century. Based on readings and research on rosaries, this rosary might belong to pre-1800's.
Notice too the choice and use of stones.... Probably stones that would be abundant in the area of manufacture.
Whereas images of Renaissance paternosters/rosaries we see online today are made of expensive gemstones, pearls, silver or gold, this humble rosary evokes simplicity and an embrace of poverty..... One of the religious vows of monks and nuns. It is for this reason that I suggest this paternoster might have been made and used by a religious monk or used by a nun. It has been prayed well as seen by the natural gloss of the stones, particularly the heart pendant and the very soft movement of the entire rosary. The time has come for me to hand this over to the next owner who would take care of this very rare paternoster. Colours of beads: there are at least 4 colours: chalk-white, mid-brown, dark brown (near black) and olive brown colour. Beads: have different sizes, thickness being handmade. Ave beads are smaller in size and you can see that the Pater Beads or'Gauds' (or marker beads) are slightly bigger.
Approx 7-8mm Ave beads/Gauds or Pater beads: 11-12mm. There is an almond-shape bead just before the Credo cross. Credo Cross is handmade (also made of stone) and consist of 3 parts: one above, one below and the vertical long part. Approx 3cm x 2.5cm.
The heart shape stone served as a hanging pendant to signify the Sacred Heart of Jesus (or the Sacred Heart of Mary) at the same time acting aa a counterweight to the whole rosary. Approx 1.6cm (including bail) x 1.1cm. Materials used: the whole paternoster is made'entirely' of stones. I have examined them under the loupe and each stone shows some form of porosity and a'chalky' appearance.
It is also connected by a group of 3 strings. Length: about 25 cm or slightly over 10 inches. There is a bit of allowance in the length of string for the beads to move. To those who wonder where the diagram came from, and to those who are interested to know more about rosaries, I have included a picture of the book. This promo is cancelled when another promo is on. If you have a particular requirement as to style, colour, use, size and others, please do not hesitate to let me know.
For a quick search on buttons, please type in the'search' box ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WORDS BEFORE THE WORD'button' or'buttons': coat, jacket, cardigan, blouse, dress, shirt, craft, collectible, haute couture, high fashion, metal, button in card, unisex, Mother of Pearl or MOP, corozo, tagua, vegetable ivory, assorted or replacement. For sizes of buttons: Up to 20mm-Small size; 21mm to 30mm-Medium size; 31m to 40mm-Big size; 41mm to 50mm-Huge size. Kindly ask if you want more or less of the listed buttons. To get an idea of the size of the rosary, kindly be guided by the following: Small: up to 15 inches long; Medium: 16 to 19 inches long; Large: 20 to 25 inches long; Huge: over 25 inches long. The rosary's length is measured laid flat on table as if hanging on a nail. All jewelry are cleaned and will be cleaned again for you before sending.
Note that the 10 cents coin featured in the listings is 23mm or 2.3 cm in size. Many thanks for your understanding!
Most of the items I sell are antique or vintage items. They have traits and traces consistent with time, use and age.
Remember too that items are magnified in pictures. I will be most glad to answer any enquiry. I give enormous time to research, organise, describe, take pictures and give as much details to buyers. Pictures are part of the description. I take a great deal of effort in packaging items to be sent and what happens to item while in transit is out of my control.
Your custom is very important to me. We will try to work out something to solve any problem. They represent my lifetime's collection. The majority of them are a one-off piece and if there are duplicates, it would be in small number. I have now decided to part with and share them to those who would love them as much as I did.This item is in the category "Lots More... The seller is "the_rosarium_collection" and is located in this country: AU. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Pre-1800 Antique Handmade Stone Paternoster/Rosary: Pre-1800, Entirely made of natural Stone beads, Thread
