Bohemian Art Glass

At last we see a rosary that I own. I fell in love with the beads on this one as much of the assembly is new or restored (as in not part of the orginal vintage piece). The beads were pristine though and well, they are really cool beads.

There are some amazing art glass rosaries floating around and I will try to find more pictures of them because they can be really gorgeous. These beads have a black glass core surrounded by clear faceted crystal. The beads are pyramidal in shape which means that they are "strung" symmetrically in two directions (you can see it at the center medal, the long side always points down). In the middle of the third decade of the rosary, two of the "fat sides" face each other.

The center medal is a Miraculous Medal (which is uncommon) and the crucifix deserves mention in that it's shape is what's known as a "budded cross". The "trefoil ends" on the budded cross represent the trinity. It's a very common shape in Catholicism and often seen atop any kind of Christian standard or flagpole. The two medals on either side are a four way cross (this one isn't in color and is much more typical in appearance than the one seen on the red rosary from 2 days ago) and an "Our Lady of Fatima" medal in honor of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Portugal when she appeared to three children over a series of days in 1917 telling them she desired frequent recitation of the rosary as a penance for all sinners (and bringing the devotion to a new popularity among the faithful).