Antique Italian Rosary

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.

To tell an antique Italian pottery apart from other pieces, do some research using trusted online resources. First, identify the maker by looking for marks on the bottom or interior. Once you know who produced your pottery, you can then explore the styles and types of pieces they produced over the years and use this information to estimate your piece's age. For pottery to be antique, it must be at least 100 years old. If you'd like assistance with the dating process, talk to a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a collection of antique Italian pottery on 1stDibs.