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 bronze crucifix is large and weighty! 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 Pater beads are slices of red coral, pleasantly irregular and pitted. They’re set between disks of black onyx and decorative beads cast of solid bronze. The wire wrap is also bronze.

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

Turquoise beads and beads of matte glass separate the Aves.

The connecting rings are all solid bronze. 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 Pater beads: 15mm by 7mm
Aves: 12mm (about .4”)
Pater pendant: 1.5”
Length: 13.75”