Antique French Wood Bead Rosary with Lourdes & Cologne Medals – 1920s, France

Antique French Wood Bead Rosary with Lourdes & Cologne Medals – 1920s, France
Period / Date: 1920s
Country: France
Material:
Crucifix: Brass
Chain: Wood beads, Brass
Medal: Alloy
Dimensions: Length: 60 cm

This graceful French antique rosary features original devotional hardware associated with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of France’s most celebrated Catholic pilgrimage destinations.

The rosary is strung with traditional turned-wood beads and brass links, imparting a solemn, timeless presence that reflects centuries of devotional craft. At the center, the three-way junction medal features an image of the spring at Lourdes, with the Virgin Mary finely engraved on the reverse, uniting depictions of Christ upon the crucifix and Our Lady within a single rosary. Suspended alongside the centerpiece is a medal commemorating Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), the renowned German pilgrimage church. In Catholic pilgrim tradition, devotees frequently embellished their personal rosaries with souvenir medals acquired at sacred sites; this medal was likely added by the original owner on a pilgrimage from France to Germany. The reverse of the Cologne medal portrays the Holy Trinity—God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Whether styled with casual attire, paired with gothic-inspired fashion, or curated among historical religious objects, this devotional piece offers enduring elegance and historical depth.