Antique French Blue Glass Rosary with Hallmarked Silver Crucifix & Centre | Sanglier and Crab Hallmarks
A beautiful antique French rosary made with vivid faceted blue glass beads and fitted with a hallmarked silver crucifix and matching hallmarked silver centrepiece. All pertinent parts are silver, with a French Sanglier (boar's head) hallmark on the crucifix and a Crab hallmark on the centrepiece.
The rosary is complete with its full complement of 59 beads.
The rosary is formed from striking faceted blue glass beads that catch and reflect the light beautifully. Their rich colour contrasts wonderfully with the silver fittings, creating an elegant and eye-catching devotional piece.
The silver centrepiece features an attractive pierced design, while the finely detailed crucifix displays delicate openwork decoration and a well-modelled corpus. Both fittings are beautifully crafted and typical of the quality found in French religious items of the period.
Blue rosaries have long been associated with devotion to the Virgin Mary and were sometimes chosen for weddings, carried by brides, or tied to a wedding bouquet as a symbol of faith, blessing, and protection. This example has a particularly graceful appearance that lends itself well to that tradition.
A lovely larger-sized rosary suitable for prayer, display, or collection, and a wonderful addition to any collection of antique French devotional treasures. It would also make a meaningful gift for a First Communion, Confirmation, wedding, or other special religious occasion.
Measurements:
Length: 21.75 inches (55.2 cm)
Circumference: 28 inches (71 cm)
Crucifix: 1.75 inches x 1 inch (4.4 cm x 2.5 cm)
Beads: 8 mm
Weight: 45.18 grams
Condition is good antique condition with age-related wear and patina consistent with age and devotional use. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
French, circa 1900–1920.