January Additions to The Sacred Bead

I have been so busy I have been neglecting my blog! Just a quick note and a lot of pictures to show some the newest additions of antique and vintage rosaries to The Sacred Bead. There are plenty of moderately priced rosaries for you so enjoy looking. I know the economy is not so great right now, so I am concentrating on bringing my customers the best rosaries at affordable prices. I'll have more detailed blogs on interesting rosaries coming up in February.

 Spina Christi bead rosary with reliquary crucifix. Soil from the Catacombs of Rome is inside the crucifix.

 Gorgeous rosary with extra medals and fabulous silver 18th C crucifix (someone added this stunning and rare crucifix to the early 20th C rosary)

 Pardon cross, early 20th C rosary with Czech Jesus beads.

 Exquisite and Rare sterling and garnet glass mid 1800s antique French rosary. Both the center and crucifix are hollow silverwork- simply beautiful!

 Beautiful double capped rosary, Italian.

 Sweet blue WWI era rosary.

 Stunning art glass and sterling rosary. The beads are Czech, faceted art glass- note the beautiful silver spacers on either side of the Pater beads.

 Elegant and rare rosary that is simply lovely!

An Extremely Rare Colored Civelli Rosary

This beautiful and quite rare Civelli rosary was spotted on eBay. The owner kindly gave me permission to share this incredible example of the well-loved Civelli rosaries with the world. I have tried to research when the colored versions were produced (the original patent does not mention color) and have had no luck so far. The original 1950 Holy Year issue had the Holy Spirit on the center rather than the Regina Pacis, Queen of Peace, center with relic soil from the Catacombs of Rome on the reverse. About 10 years ago I saw a bundle of colored Civellis offered for sale, and although I can't remember for sure, I believe there were orange and green ones also. These had come from a closed church- the priest apparently gave the rosaries as special gifts. Even the more common black and white Civellis have a range of colorings- some a warmer tone, while others are starkly black and white.


I also came across an interesting tidbit from a 1952 newspaper, just a little notice making people aware of the Civelli rosary. The cost was listed as $5!

Here are the pictures of this gorgeous red Civelli rosary. The rosary is in a private collection.

 The reverse of the crucifix is similar to other later issue Civelli rosaries. The reverse of the 1950 Holy Year original version has a more detailed reverse complete with a shield.

 Soil from the Catacombs of Rome in the reverse of the center. Even in the very worn Civellis, this little relic compartment is always intact. The tag below says Marque Depose which is the European version of registered trademark.