The crucifixes of the Galway Rosaries “are notable for their simplicity and intensity of religious feeling.”
— Edward A. McGuire
”Old Irish Rosaries,” The Furrow, Vol. 5, No. 2, (Feb., 1954)

This solid sterling silver crucifix is very large and very heavy! The Irish original from which it was cast is believed to date from the late 1700s or early 1800s. The style is typical of the Galway Rosaries: the cross of the original was formed of hollow tubes, and it would have been tasseled at the arms and foot of the cross.

The one-of-a-kind Pater bead is a large slice of coral, pleasantly irregular and slightly pitted. It’s set between disks of black onyx and disks of silvered brass. The wire wrap is sterling.

The large Ave beads are bone, smooth and polished. These are uncirculated vintage beads, long out of production.

Turquoise beads and beads of matte glass separate the Aves.

At each end of the strand are cylindrical beads of wood with a nice variation in grain, disks of black onyx, and disks of silvered brass.

The heavy-gauge rings and crimps are all sterling silver. The chaplet is strung on premium quality Soft Touch jewelers’ cable, composed of 49 strands of steel encased in nylon, with a test strength of 26 pounds.

Crucifix: 2.8” including its bail
Coral bead: 1” tall, .75” wide
Pater pendant: 1.8”
Aves: .4”, 12mm
Length: 14”