Antique Rosary For The Souls in Purgatory, Carved Janus Head, Nun's Rosary, Spina Beads, Silvered Steel Cross, Very Rare Circa 1885

Antique Rosary For The Souls in Purgatory, Carved Janus Head, Nun's Rosary, Spina Beads, Silvered Steel Cross, Very Rare Circa 1885

This an extremely rare and much travelled Rosary.

It is nowhere near as macabre as it sounds. In fact the rosary is designed to be prayed for the souls in purgatory so that they may ascend to heaven.

The Catholic Church has a rich history of praying for the souls in Purgatory, with devotions beginning as early as 336 in Constantinople. Over the centuries, religious orders and special associations dedicated themselves to the comfort of the souls of the dead. One such group, the Confraternity of Our Lady of Suffrage, began in Rome in 1592 and is still active today. In fact, it and other groups experienced a revival in France between 1850 and 1914.

In 1873, the design and recitation of the Rosary of the Dead was approved by Pope Pius IX. The rosary contains four decades, 3 spacer beads, one bead on the drop, and a crucifix. A medal of Notre Dame du Suffrage is often attached with the crucifix, as it is with this rosary.

The aluminium medal of Notre Dame du Suffrage is attached with the crucifix. On the front is the Immaculate Heart of Mary, around which is written “Sweet heart of Mary, be my Salvation” and a notation that reciting this prayer provides 300 days of indulgence. On the verso is an image of Mary above the fires of Purgatory, with an angel kneeling before her.

Each of the beads is a Spina seed.

The silvered steel cross has Christ on each side.

Last but not least is the carved memento mori with a folk-art face of Jesus on one side and a skull on the other. Fitting for this devotional, this hand-carved “bead” encourages us to ponder our mortality and the afterlife, whether in Purgatory or elsewhere. It is in superb condition with no chips, cracks, or missing features. The detail is superb.

Overall, this antique rosary is in excellent antique condition and is sure to please any serious collector.

It measures 30 centimetres in length.

Naturally it will ship with full international tracking.