The Tradition of El Dia de Los Muertos

This whimsical image of a skeleton playing a guitar is one of many similar portrayals of skeletons enjoying life that are used during celebrations of the holiday , El Dia de los Muertos. Originating in Mexico but now found throughout the Americas, this holiday represents a blending of early Mexican celebrations and the new religion brought from Spain in the 16th century. All Saints and All Souls days fall roughly at the same time of year that the traditional Mexican festivities for the dead occurred, which explains why the holiday coincides with All Saints and All Souls days. As old customs were incorporated into the new religion brought by the Spaniards, El Dia de los Muertos became a time to both reflect on the meaning of life and to enjoy the presence of the ancestors. Rather than being a frightening symbol, the skeletons of this holiday are joyously represented. 
Skulls on rosaries are an ancient tradition in Europe and are becoming increasingly well known and used in modern times. Many people appreciate the symbolism of both El Dia de los Muertos and rosaries with skulls. The skull on a rosary is a contemplative tool, reminding those in prayer of man's brief earthly life and Jesus' victory over death.
You can find the following rosaries on The Sacred Bead and The SacredBead2 on Etsy.

 Antique inlaid crucifix, natural rust sponge coral and small carved bone skulls complete this interesting handmade rosary.

 Large antique skull and crossbones crucifix, bone and resin amber beads and tiny carved bone skull beads makeup this intriguing rosary.

 The center and crucifix are hand made bronze pieces, cast from antiques.

 Unique skulls made of large seeds with gorgeous natural rust sponge coral beads highlight this lovely rosary.

Skull Rosaries

Although most of The Sacred Bead's customers come to enjoy the antique rosary beads, I have been getting requests for more skull rosaries- the two I had sold long ago and haven't been replaced yet. I am currently working on making some gorgeous ones and will have them on the website by the end of August.
I see many questions online about what and why skulls are placed on rosaries, as people have forgotten the long tradition in Europe of placing a skull on a rosary. Known as a momento mori, the skull is there as a contemplative tool for remembering our mortality and as a reminder of Christ's triumph over death. Antique rosaries used by priests and nuns in Europe frequently had skulls on them for this reason. Most of these beautiful antique rosaries are quite rare and thus very expensive. As an more affordable alternative, modern rosaries made with skull beads make an excellent alternative. I do know that these have become quite popular and are frequently worn; it is not up to me to dictate what you do with a rosary you purchase from The Sacred Bead. Of course, I would love to see them exclusively used in prayer, but I am aware that that may not always be the case. 
As with all my designer rosaries, only the finest materials are used. Several skull rosaries will feature antique and vintage crucifixes. They may have coral, turquoise, or bone beads. The skulls are made from ox bone, palm nuts, magnesite and glass. Each one is unique, so once it is sold, there will never be another made just like it. When making rosaries, I avoid a lot of "fancy," instead I like to highlight the elegance and simplicity of beautiful natural materials.

 Antique and Vintage Crucifixes on Several of the Skull Rosaries.

 Skull beads are ox bone, magnesite and other materials. The ave beads are sea coral, ox bone, turquoise and other fine materials.

Time for Another Warning About Rosaries with Added Skulls on eBay

I know I've already posted about the several sellers on eBay who have added modern carved ox bone skulls made in China to vintage and antique rosaries AND not been honest about saying they are modern additions, but after searching rosary + skull on eBay tonight I see the trend seems to be expanding. Before you ever buy an antique or vintage rosary with an attached skull, look at the seller's other items. If you see rosary after rosary with little skulls hanging off of them, all looking very much like the little skulls that are from modern Buddhist malas or ones found in online bead stores, then you should question the seller about the time period that the skull was added to the rosary. I've actually asked several sellers, receiving no reply from one and an admission from another that yes, she adds them. Unfortunately, without asking, you probably won't be told this in the auction.
None of this wouldn't matter IF people knew that the skull is not original to the rosary. Adding a skull bead that cost mere pennies does not increase the value of a rosary by a hundred or more dollars. Bidding is fierce on some of these rosaries and it really disturbs me that people are paying their hard earned money for something that is not authentic.
I make new rosaries using skull beads, so I am quite familiar with them. I also have quite a few rosaries with authentic antique skulls attached in my private collection. There is an enormous difference between the two. You can see my prior post from November, 2010 for pictures of authentic skull beads and how they are attached to the rosary- they are not dangling from them!
I am also seeing a trend in attaching a small, deep red tear drop shaped bead and selling these as antique rosaries with a drop of blood bead. Again, if you see the same dealer with numerous rosaries with the same bead, attached in the same way, it is a good clue that it is a recent addition.
When you have a favorite rosary, you can add whatever you like to it to help with meditative prayer. It is selling the rosary without informing the buyer that it is a modern addition that seems less than honest.

Skulls on Antique Rosaries

 
Many antique rosaries used by nuns and priests had a carved bone, wood, ivory or other material skull attached, a Momento Mori, a reminder that we are mortal. The top two photos are from a European rosary from a convent and the skull does not appear to be bone, rather I believe it is jet, a very light carbonaceous natural material similar to coal that was highly prized during the late 1800's and used in mourning jewelry. Most antique "jet" beads are actually French jet, which is just black glass, this is because jet was rare and costly. This skull seems to be either bog oak or jet. The second skull is attached to a 15 decade rosary from a convent in Belgium. This rosary is now in a private collection. Note that the skull is of wood. This is the way authentic skulls should appear on the rosary, they are almost always attached as part of the chain, not dangling to the side.


Please be aware that there seems to be a rash of modern inexpensive Chinese/Tibetan bone skulls being added to historic rosaries. I get too many questions asking about the authenticity of skulls that interested buyers see on auction sites and it bothers me a lot that people are being deceived, whether intentionally or not. Please ask sellers questions about the origin of the skull, was it added recently? I have several modern rosaries in the designer section at The Sacred Bead that are made of modern bone skull beads, but there is no deception intended, they are modern, I made the entire rosary and I am not trying to pass it off as antique.


I firmly believe that antique rosaries should be left as they were found unless you are keeping them solely for yourself and then you may do as you please of course! The problem with this deceptive practice- adding skulls and other items and not explaining that they are recent additions- is the new buyer generally pays more because of the skull, medal, or the most recent addition I've been seeing is a red bead resembling a drop of blood, and they are sometimes led to believe that it is an original part of the rosary, which it may not be. I feel very strongly that sellers should know their materials and clearly explain any recent replacement parts or additions, assuring that the buyer knows exactly what they are getting. 


These are, of course, exceptional examples of skulls, not all the authentic original skulls of of this quality, some are much more humble. Remember that it is certainly worth the small effort to ask a seller if the skull is a recent addition.