“We are the clay,
and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hands.”
— Isaiah 64:8

The ten Aves and the Pater bead of this chaplet are durable, high-fired stoneware — not indestructible, but strong and quite beautifully made. These Bulgarian beads are meticulously handcrafted by Vladislav and Kremena Ivanova. Each bead is individually shaped of red, buff, or black German clay — the colors of the clays are natural — and, before firing the beads, the artists impress the clay with a variety of patterns.

The circles on the cross represent Christ's wounds. The cross is hand-cast from an ancient, centuries-old original, in solid bronze.

Among the prayer beads are beads of hand-carved wood, solid brass, and matte glass in olive and black. The connecting rings are bronze.

Cross: 1.25"
Pater bead: about 14mm
Ave beads: from about 9mm to 12mm
Length: about 5.6"