Antique Rosary - Wooden conventual rosary engraved with a metallic crucifix and wooden insert, Italy, early 20th - 1910-1920 - Conventual rosary

Wooden Rosario conventuale engraved with a metal crucifix and wooden insert – Italy, early 20th century.

This impressive wooden rosary with carved details belongs to the category of conventual or 'friar's' rosaries, characterized by generous dimensions and a robust structure designed for daily liturgical use within religious orders. The 70 beads, hand-carved from natural wood, alternate between smooth and turned elements and deeply carved beads with a geometric scalloped motif, following a craft tradition widespread in Italy from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Some of the larger beads reach about two centimeters in size, placing this rosary in the category of conventual artifacts intended to be worn at the waist or used during communal prayer.
The metal chain, solid and visibly ancient, shows a uniform oxidation consistent with the age of the piece. Particularly noteworthy is the crucifix, made of darkened silvered metal and enriched with a carefully finished wooden insert, which emphasizes its monastic character and the symbolic combination of humble and durable materials.
The rosary is completely authentic, shows no modern restorations, and has a uniform patina that reflects a century of devotion and use. The most plausible dating ranges from 1900 to 1920, a period when many French and Italian monastic orders used large-format rosaries as part of their religious attire.

Dimensions:
Rosario, 108 cm
180 cm (complete)