Antique Rosary - Long conventual rosary in dark glass with double belt springs, Italy, 19th century - 1850-1900 - Conventual rosary

Long conventual rosary in dark glass with double belt springs, Italy, 19th century

This extraordinary rosary immediately stands out for its unusually long length, a characteristic typical of rosaries worn by friars or nuns as part of their religious habit. The extended structure allowed it to be hung from the cincture, often letting it hang along the side during daily prayer.
I 58 grains, large and spherical, are in dark glass and display brownish reflections and natural color variations due to the glasswork and the patina of time.
The most rare and significant element is the presence of two metal springs with terminal rings, which allowed for direct attachment to the belt of the cassock. This elastic system prevented sudden pulls and made the rosary more comfortable and practical during movements, a solution particularly adopted by some active orders at the end of the nineteenth century.
The brass medal, featuring the Immaculate on the front and Saint Joseph with the Child on the back, confirms the conventual origin and devotional context of the object. The ensemble – brass chain, glass beads, functional springs – places the artifact among late 19th-century dress rosaries.
It is likely to originate from a convent or a religious community in central-northern Italy, where this type of functional rosary was widely used.

Dimensions:
Rosario, 112 cm
180 cm (complete)