Antique French Mother of Pearl & Silver Rosary Heart Centre Gothic Crucifix

A beautiful antique French rosary made with genuine hand-cut mother-of-pearl beads and a charming heart-shaped mother-of-pearl centrepiece. All pertinent parts are silver, including the links, solid silver-capped pater beads, crucifix, and corpus.

The rosary is formed from softly luminous round mother-of-pearl beads displaying the natural variations in colour and iridescence that make mother of pearl so appealing. The hand-cut beads have a warmth and character that is difficult to reproduce, giving the rosary a lovely authentic feel.

Particularly attractive is the heart-shaped mother-of-pearl centrepiece, which catches the light beautifully and creates a delightful focal point. The larger pater beads are fitted with solid silver caps that complement the mother-of-pearl beads perfectly and add to the quality of the piece.

The rosary is finished with a nicely detailed silver crucifix featuring elegant Gothic-inspired openwork decoration and a finely modelled corpus. The design is graceful and refined without being overly ornate. There appears to be a possible rubbed hallmark on the crucifix, although any mark is now difficult to distinguish due to age and wear.

French rosaries combining genuine mother-of-pearl beads, silver links throughout, silver-capped pater beads, and a heart-shaped mother-of-pearl centre are becoming increasingly difficult to find. This is a lovely devotional piece that would display beautifully or make a meaningful gift for a First Communion, Confirmation, wedding, or other special religious occasion.

The delicate design and heart-shaped centrepiece suggest it may once have marked a special occasion, such as a wedding, where rosaries were sometimes tied to a bridal bouquet or presented as treasured devotional keepsakes.

Measurements:

Length: 22.25 inches (56.5 cm) Circumference: 28 inches (71 cm) Crucifix: 1⅞ inches x 1 inch (4.8 cm x 2.5 cm)  Average bead size: 7 mm  Pater beads: 1 cm    Weight: 58.83 grams

Condition is good antique condition with gentle age-related wear and patina consistent with age and devotional use. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Circa 1900–1925.