Renaissance Style Paternoster Rosary, Jasper Glass & Pewter

The renaissance era spans the years 1300 to 1550, a time in history that also encompassed Byzantine design. Many paternosters and rosaries from this period reflect the influence of Byzantine design, and I have incorporated some into this jasper & glass rosary.

I'm not aiming to reproduce historic rosaries, but rather to revive beautiful religious design from the past. By using today's materials and techniques with yesterday's designs, my rosaries provide a link with the history of prayerful worship through the centuries.

Rosaries in the middle ages were often very large by today's standards, but lovely shorter ones were created too which inspired this modern 2-decade update. I've used faceted Red Creek jasper beads for the Aves, each quite big at about 12mm long. This attractive multi-colour jasper is mined in Australia.

The Pater beads are handblown hollow glass which is strong & durable. Glass and clear quartz were quite commonly used for beads in past times. Either side of these large beads are ornately decorated pewter beads, and smaller pewter beads separate the jaspers.

The design is based on the rosary in this image, held by Princess Eudoxia of Moscow (1353-1407). The front of the paternoster has a burgundy silk tassel, held in a fancy pewter cap.  A lovely folk history tale tells how the tassel was used in rosaries to wipe the tears of the faithful as they prayed.

Length from center back to end of cross: 36cm / 14 inches:
Beads: 12mm jasper, 15mm & 20mm glass:
Tassel: 8cm / 3 inches long.

 It comes in a handmade renaissance-style pouch to store it in, and will be attractively wrapped.

Click here to see my
Renaissance Revival Collection
Rosary Collection

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