How do you know if a rosary is antique?

To know if a rosary is antique, check its beads. The beads on modern rosaries are largely made of wood, glass or inexpensive plastic, and they’re likely linked by a chain or a cord. Old rosary beads were frequently strung on silk or another type of thread. Hundreds of years ago, some rosaries, such as those produced during the 16th century for example, were made by goldsmiths. The era of mass production for these prayer beads began to take shape during the 15th century, and this development allowed for rosaries to be made of materials such as lead, glass, bone and wood. Online resources suggest that if the rosary’s crucifix and center medal are not made of the same material, it’s likely that a component of your rosary has been replaced over the years.In order to properly determine the age of your rosary, experts recommend working with an antiques dealer or other type of professional in the collectibles realm.Over time, vintage and antique religious artifacts have become popular with collectors and the devout alike, and religious art has been used to express devotion across a range of media. Find rosaries today on 1stDibs.

How can I tell if carved wood is antique?

Antique carved wood can be identified by how it is made. Antique carvings were done by hand, so nicks and cuts will indicate carvings completed with a plane or knife. In addition, hand-carved wood will not be uniform or have perfect symmetry. Always works with a certified appraiser to determine the exact date and value of an item. Find a variety of antique carved wood furniture and decor on 1stDibs.

Antique Wood Rosary

17th/18th Century Baroque Period Carved Polychrome Santo Altar Statue

$5,500

H 15 in W 4.5 in D 3.75 in

17th/18th Century Baroque Period Carved Polychrome Santo Altar Statue

Located in Forney, TX

A scarce Baroque period Spanish or Italian hand carved polychrome painted wood Santo sculpture with inset colored glass eyes, original white robe garb and later wood rosary.

Category

Early 18th Century European Baroque Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Paint

Our Lady of the Rosary with Child, polychrome wood carving, 18th century

$9,348

H 18.51 in Dm 5.12 in

Our Lady of the Rosary with Child, polychrome wood carving, 18th century

Located in Madrid, ES

Our Lady of the Rosary with Child, polychrome wood carving, 18th century This 18th-century Baroque sculpture depicts Our Lady of the Rosary with the Child.

Category

18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Silver

Long office bench – Louis XIII style – Rosary turned legs – Solid wood

$1,145 / item

H 17.72 in W 64.97 in D 13.78 in

Long office bench – Louis XIII style – Rosary turned legs – Solid wood

Located in NAVILLY, FR

Large long Louis XIII style office bench, 19th century, with six legs in dark solid wood with rosary turning (stacked coils), characteristic of this style.

Category

18th Century European Louis XIII Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Hardwood

Japanese Edo Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

$1,595

H 5.25 in W 9 in D 7.5 in

Japanese Edo Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Located in Studio City, CA

It comes with the original wood storage box and counting tablet box with various painted numbers on them (1,000, 10,000, 100,000,...).

Category

19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

17th Century Louis XIII Armchair

$4,089

H 37.41 in W 21.07 in D 18.9 in

17th Century Louis XIII Armchair

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

The unity and quality of the wood turning, particularly for the rosary beads elements, demonstrate the cabinet-makers’ skills.

Category

17th Century French Renaissance Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Walnut

Recent Sales

Folk Art Rosary

Unavailable

W 59 in

Folk Art Rosary

Located in Baltimore, MD

An oversized folk art rosary using wood,tree nuts and macrame.

Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Large Nuns Rosary with Ebony Crucifix from Lourdes France

Unavailable

H 50.79 in W 2.17 in D 0.6 in

Large Nuns Rosary with Ebony Crucifix from Lourdes France

Located in Antwerp, BE

Vintage French rosary, called a nuns rosary or monks rosary because of its length and size of the beads, circa 1940.

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Monks Rosary with silver medallion

Sold

H 17 in W 2 in

Monks Rosary with silver medallion

Located in Culver City, CA

Monks Rosary with glass and wood beads medallion of pressed silver.

Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Silver

Monks Rosary with Silver Medallion

Sold

Dm 1.75 in

Monks Rosary with Silver Medallion

Located in Culver City, CA

Monks Rosary with glass and wood beads, medallion of pressed silver.

Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Silver

Our Lady Of Rosary Madonna, German Lithograph

Sold

H 30 in W 26 in D 1.5 in

Our Lady Of Rosary Madonna, German Lithograph

Located in Savannah, GA

An Our Lady Of Rosary lithograph, Germany, circa 1890s. A heavily distressed piece in period frame showing a history of devotion. sight: 15 ¾ by 19 ¾ inches frame: 26 by 30 inches

Category

19th Century German Baroque Revival Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Wood Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Sold

H 17.5 in W 7 in D 1 in

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Wood Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Located in Studio City, CA

These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers / rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection.

Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th century carved hardwood rosary

Sold

H 25.99 in W 1.38 in D 0.6 in

Antique 19th century carved hardwood rosary

Located in Bilzen, BE

A rosary complete made from hardwood in the 19th century each ball is decorated with turned cirkels and have a diameter between 1 and 1.5 cm The cross is 6.5 x 3.5 cm

Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Late Victorian Religious Memorial Rosary Shadowbox

Sold

H 10.75 in W 8.75 in D 1.75 in

Late Victorian Religious Memorial Rosary Shadowbox

Located in New Orleans, LA

An ebonized shadow box with a framed photograph, portrait of a woman, from the early 20th century, placed within a smaller ornate brass frame. A rosary, draped around the inner frame...

Category

Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Metal, Brass, Gold Plate

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Sold

H 10 in W 10 in D 2 in

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Located in Studio City, CA

A truly magnificent and special work - this nearly 20-foot long string of Japanese hand-crafted natural wooden (perhaps Rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads with customary larger "Guru...

Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Japanese Temple Buddhist Monk Samurai Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Sold

H 20 in W 14 in D 2 in

Japanese Temple Buddhist Monk Samurai Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Located in Studio City, CA

A truly magnificent and special work - this beautiful and exceptionally long string of Japanese hand-crafted natural wood (perhaps Rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads.

Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Japanese Edo Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Sold

H 7 in W 17.5 in D 10.25 in

Japanese Edo Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

Located in Studio City, CA

Truly a special work. Original wood storage box dimensions: 7" High, 17.5" Wide, 10.25" Deep Juzu bead necklace is approximately 13 feet (nearly 4 meters) long.

Category

18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XIII Armchair in Solid Walnut, Original Upholstery, 17th C

Sold

H 34.26 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in

Antique French Louis XIII Armchair in Solid Walnut, Original Upholstery, 17th C

Located in Odense, DK

The unity and quality of the wood turning, particularly for the rosary beads elements, demonstrate the cabinet-makers’ skills.

Category

17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique French Louis XIII Armchair in Solid Walnut, Original Upholstery, 17th C

Sold

H 36.23 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in

Antique French Louis XIII Armchair in Solid Walnut, Original Upholstery, 17th C

Located in Odense, DK

The unity and quality of the wood turning, particularly for the rosary beads elements, demonstrate the cabinet-makers’ skills.

Category

17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique Belgian Altarpiece Plaster Relief of Saint Dominic, Rosary, Mary & Jesus

Sold

H 38 in W 54 in D 5.5 in

Antique Belgian Altarpiece Plaster Relief of Saint Dominic, Rosary, Mary & Jesus

Located in Houston, TX

Saint Dominic is credited with the spread of the Rosary's popularity in catholic practice. The story goes that in the year 1208 at the church in Prouille, the Blessed Virgin revealed...

Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Burlap, Plaster, Wood

19th Century Spanish Colonial Bulto Figure of St. Anthony Holding Baby Jesus

Sold

H 14 in W 5.5 in D 4.5 in

19th Century Spanish Colonial Bulto Figure of St. Anthony Holding Baby Jesus

Located in Van Nuys, CA

It is adorned in a wood and metal Rosary.

Category

Mid-19th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Metal

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Manly P. Hall's The Secret Teachings, Facsimile Book Set with Prints

$500 / item

H 18.7 in W 13.2 in D 3 in

Manly P. Hall's The Secret Teachings, Facsimile Book Set with Prints

By TASCHEN

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The classic encyclopedia of the arcane in an expanded edition. Renowned philosopher and lecturer Manly P. Hall’s masterful encyclopedia of ancient symbols, hidden rituals, and arcan...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Foil

Antique Italian Religious Banner Mary Our Lady Sorrows Oleograph Wall Tapestry

$1,250

H 20 in W 18 in D 1 in

Antique Italian Religious Banner Mary Our Lady Sorrows Oleograph Wall Tapestry

Located in Forney, TX

A wonderful 19th Century Italian religious textile banner with beautifully colored Our Lady Of Sorrows Mary, Mother of Jesus oleograph, original backing, rod, rope, fringe and tassel...

Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Metal

19th century antique wooden Burmese Buddha temple - Original Buddhas

$1,142

H 20.67 in W 17.21 in D 11.03 in

19th century antique wooden Burmese Buddha temple - Original Buddhas

Located in DEVENTER, NL

This 19th-century wooden Burmese Buddha temple is a stunning testament to the rich spiritual and artistic heritage of Burma. Crafted from wood and standing at a height of 52.5 cm, wi...

Category

19th Century Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Wood

13th Century Gold Coin From The Ghurid Rulers Of India MU'IZZ AL-DIN MUHAMMAD

$808,628

H 0.04 in Dm 1.78 in

13th Century Gold Coin From The Ghurid Rulers Of India MU'IZZ AL-DIN MUHAMMAD

Located in London, GB

Ghurid Rulers Of India, Mu'izz Al-Din Muhammad B. Sam (567-602h). Gold 10-Mithqals/Dinars, Balad Ghazna 601h. Obverse: In Field: La Ilaha Illa Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah Al-Nasir L...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Gold

Rezzonico chandelier 5 arms clear Murano glass, multicolor details by Multiforme

$4,783Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 23.63 in Dm 27.56 in

Rezzonico chandelier 5 arms clear Murano glass, multicolor details by Multiforme

By Multiforme

Located in Trebaseleghe, IT

Kia Ora chandelier 5 lights clear Murano glass with blue and ruby trims, multicolour vitreous paste details. Kia Ora is the combination of the traditional Venetian structure with g...

Category

2010s Italian Other Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

18th Century French Gilt Wood Sculptured Wall-Consoles

$1,690Sale Price|44% Off

H 11.82 in W 11.03 in D 9.85 in

18th Century French Gilt Wood Sculptured Wall-Consoles

Located in Sofia, BG

18th century wall suspended consoles from France. Beautifully constructed in gilt wood and ornamented with a Rococo influence. The quality of the carving and gilding is very good and...

Category

Late 18th Century French Rococo Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Hirate Clan Samurai Armor with Signed Kabuto Helmet

$24,067

H 18 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in

18th Century Hirate Clan Samurai Armor with Signed Kabuto Helmet

Located in Fukuoka, JP

This is a truly exceptional set of 18th century Samurai armor that is sure to impress any collector or enthusiast. The patinated iron used in its construction has aged beautifully, g...

Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Iron

Murano Chandelier Rezzonico 6Arms Clear-Multi-Color Glass by Multiforme

$6,394Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 29.53 in Dm 27.56 in

Murano Chandelier Rezzonico 6Arms Clear-Multi-Color Glass by Multiforme

By Multiforme

Located in Trebaseleghe, IT

Rezzonico chandelier 6 arms, crystal Murano glass, rich of multi-color details by Multiforme. This artistic glass chandelier is an elegant and delicate lighting work, colored with pa...

Category

2010s Italian Other Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Antique Italian Church Carved Gilt Polychrome Tabernacle Altar Niche

$19,950

H 45 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in

Large Antique Italian Church Carved Gilt Polychrome Tabernacle Altar Niche

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent large rare and most impressive Italian baldachin tabernacle altar niche / altarpiece. circa 1800 Exquisitely hand-crafted in Italy in the early 19th century, this extr...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

$16,359Sale Price|50% Off

H 102.37 in W 99.61 in D 72.84 in

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

Located in Marbella, ES

This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Gold Leaf

50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)

$1,780,000

H 49 in W 90 in D 2.75 in

50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)

By Green River Fossil Company

Located in Logan, UT

Act fast to claim this exquisite piece of natural history, as our fossils will no longer be available through 1stDibs after October 31. This sculptural stone specimen features an ex...

Category

2010s American Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Limestone

Gothic Revival Fireplace with its Hood and Carved Salamander, Witch and Ermine

$14,606

H 97.64 in W 71.46 in D 22.64 in

Gothic Revival Fireplace with its Hood and Carved Salamander, Witch and Ermine

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Exceptional oak neo-Gothic fireplace and hood. The uprights sides of the fireplace are composed of two columns with capitals foliage patterns, all surmounted by a reserve on which is...

Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Oak

Gorgeous 18th Century Baroque South American Floral Shrine

$5,800

H 39.37 in W 25 in D 11.81 in

Gorgeous 18th Century Baroque South American Floral Shrine

Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR

Lovely 18th Century shrine in polychrome cedar. Rectangular box, topped by a cut pediment carved with flowers, flanked by a pair of tips – like simplified obelisks. Sides and pair of...

Category

Late 18th Century Brazilian Baroque Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Cedar

Chinese Red Lacquer Canopy Bed with Footrest, c. 1900

$12,800

H 92 in W 85 in D 58 in

Chinese Red Lacquer Canopy Bed with Footrest, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

A Chinese canopy bed, or marriage bed, was the most important part of a bride's dowry and was the central feature of her personal quarters. Traditionally, beds were central to Chines...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Elm, Reed

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

$425,000

H 168 in Dm 104 in

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Metal

Rare Antique Russian Moscow School Silver Enamel Icon of the Holy Trinity, 1853

$6,750

H 12.63 in W 9.63 in D 1 in

Rare Antique Russian Moscow School Silver Enamel Icon of the Holy Trinity, 1853

Located in New York, NY

Fine and rare antique Russian silver and enamel Holy Trinity icon Moscow, 1853 Marks: Cyrillic D O maker's mark, A C assay master's mark for Aggey Grigorievich Svechin ( Postnikova-L...

Category

19th Century Russian Antique Wood Rosary

Materials

Silver, Enamel

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Antique Wood Rosary For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique wood rosary you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and walnut, every antique wood rosary was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique wood rosary — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 19th Century are available. An antique wood rosary, designed in the Baroque or Victorian style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.

How Much is a Antique Wood Rosary?

Prices for an antique wood rosary can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $700 and can go as high as $38,698, while the average can fetch as much as $2,200.

Questions About Antique Wood Rosary

How do you know if a rosary is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 18, 2024
To know if a rosary is antique, check its beads. The beads on modern rosaries are largely made of wood, glass or inexpensive plastic, and they’re likely linked by a chain or a cord. Old rosary beads were frequently strung on silk or another type of thread.

Hundreds of years ago, some rosaries, such as those produced during the 16th century for example, were made by goldsmiths. The era of mass production for these prayer beads began to take shape during the 15th century, and this development allowed for rosaries to be made of materials such as lead, glass, bone and wood. Online resources suggest that if the rosary’s crucifix and center medal are not made of the same material, it’s likely that a component of your rosary has been replaced over the years.

In order to properly determine the age of your rosary, experts recommend working with an antiques dealer or other type of professional in the collectibles realm.

Over time, vintage and antique religious artifacts have become popular with collectors and the devout alike, and religious art has been used to express devotion across a range of media. Find rosaries today on 1stDibs.
How can I tell if carved wood is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Antique carved wood can be identified by how it is made. Antique carvings were done by hand, so nicks and cuts will indicate carvings completed with a plane or knife. In addition, hand-carved wood will not be uniform or have perfect symmetry. Always works with a certified appraiser to determine the exact date and value of an item. Find a variety of antique carved wood furniture and decor on 1stDibs.