Black Crystal Bead Rosary

This unusal glass rosary is made of irridscent black beads with chains running along both sides ending with an ornate crucifix. The rosary comes in a purple gift box with white satin lining printed with Westminster Abbey. The word rosary comes from Latin and means a garland of roses, the rose being one of the flowers used to symbolise the Virgin Mary. The rosary is a devotion in honour of the Virgin Mary. As a material object it is an aid towards saying these prayers in the proper sequence. The fingers are moved along the beads as the prayers are recited. By not having to keep track of the count mentally, the mind is supposed to be freed to meditate on the mysteries. The prayers that essentially compose the Rosary are arranged in sets of ten Hail Marys proceeded by one Lord's Prayer and followed by one Glory Be to the Father. During recitation of each set, known as a decade, thought is given to one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which recall events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Normally, five decades are recited in a session.

• Necklace measures 76cm with a 19cm long hanging cross section.