Antique Strung Rosaries

Although unfamiliar to the eyes of rosary users in the United States, antique strung rosaries are common in Europe and descended from the earliest of rosaries. Wiring a rosary didn't come into fashion until the 1700s so in the vast history of prayer beads, it is a rather modern development! The common 5decade rosary is frequently found strung in France, Belgium and Germany, but the most famous of the strung rosaries are the 5 and 6 decade rosaries from Bavaria with their gorgeous antique filigree silver crosses and Pater beads. Note the second cross above the main cross- this is the Credo Cross. Some of the main crosses have enamel on copper inserts, the oldest of these have wood and mother of pearl crosses in the center of the silver filigree. Because of the amount of use these rosaries got, the string would often break and need to be replaced. Sometimes beads were lost and replaced over the decades. This is just part of them being authentic antique rosaries.These are truly collector rosaries, yet are still produced in Bavaria and are exceptional in their beauty.
Fifteen decade antique strung rosaries can be found in France, often with wood or bone beads.

 This is a beautiful example of an antique Bavarian rosary. Several beads have been replace on this one and the string may be from the mid-1900s, but the rosary originated in the 1800s. This one is a six decade rosary, quite common with Bavarian Rosaries. Find original antique Bavarian rosaries at The Sacred Bead.

 Beautiful silver and enamel work highlight the main cross. Note the smaller Credo Cross.

 This is a simpler antique Bavarian rosary without the enameled inset in the cross.

 From the 1800s, this full 15 decade antique French rosary has bone beads and bone cross with a brass corpus. Lovely antique rosary, still intact after more than a century!

Sweet little Belgian strung rosary. I believe the beads on this one and the cross are celluloid or similar early man-made material. I just love the little bow that has been tied there for decades. Currently, this is the featured rosary on The Sacred Bead.