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Rare Vintage Art Deco Italian & Czech Rosary – Amethyst Glass, Caged Filigree, Mother of Pearl
An exceptional, highly collectible heirloom rosary dating from the Art Deco/Interwar period (circa 1920s–1940s). This exquisite piece features a striking blend of Italian devotional assembly and renowned Bohemian craftsmanship, making it a rare find for serious collectors of antique religious material culture.
Design & Material Details
The Crucifix: A beautifully crafted, traditional 3-pin riveted Mother of Pearl (MOP) cross. The horizontal and vertical bars are precisely secured with original miniature metal rivets and finished with a classic stamped silver-tone end cap at the top loop.
Our Father (Pater) Beads: Striking, high-end "caged" or encased filigree beads. These feature vibrant amethyst purple glass roundels enveloped in intricate, pierced brass/tombac filigree wrappers—a hallmark technique of the historic glass and metal artisans of Gablonz (Bohemia).
Ave Beads: Rich, plum-colored amethyst molded glass beads with crisp, machine-faceted geometry that speaks to historic Czech glass-house production.
The Centerpiece & Liturgical Text: A die-struck white metal/brass-base Miraculous Medal (Our Lady of Graces) featuring a dual-tone patina. The top rim bears the legal "ITALY" export stamp. The reverse features a highly unusual, complete English-stamped liturgical seasonal guide for praying the Glorious Mysteries:
“Glorious Mysteries - Wednesdays & Saturdays - Sundays from Easter to Advent and from Christmas to Lent"
This complex, pre-Vatican II rubric makes this particular center medal an incredibly scarce variant.
Measurements & Technical Specifications
Era: Circa 1920s–1940s (Art Deco / Interwar Period)
Country of Origin: Components sourced from Bohemia (Czech); Final assembly in Italy for the English-speaking export market.
Materials: Faceted Czech glass, Mother of Pearl, Brass/Gilt alloy, White metal/Silver-plate alloy.
Color Palette: Deep Amethyst Purple, Iridescent Cream MOP, Warm Aged Gold, Oxidized Antique Silver.
Condition Report
Superb vintage condition with a gorgeous, undisturbed age-appropriate patina. The mixed-metal components show elegant tonal variation, with areas of the silver plating naturally wearing to reveal the warm brass base metal underneath ("bleeding" patina). The faceted glass beads are structurally sound with only minor friction wear/flea bites on the facets near the chain loops, entirely consistent with a devotional piece of this age. All connections and original rivets on the MOP cross remain secure.
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