Paternosters (literally meaning "our father"), are strings of prayer beads which have been in use since at least 1000 A.D., as a devotional item or method for keeping track of prayers, much like modern rosary beads. For a pious Christian of the middle ages, having a paternoster (often work looped around the belt as an accessory) was a must!To the left is an example of this, a detail from Osuna's "Adoration of the Magi" shows a man holding a paternoster in loop form. The gentleman in the background of Rogier van der Weyden's "The Magdalen Reading" is holding a linear rosary, and if you look closely at the background of "The Arnolfini Wedding" by Jan Van Eyck, you'll see a paternoster hanging on the wall!
My newest is made on silk cord, individually knotted, with white mother of pearl and larger onyx beads, finished off with a handmade tassel and a small decorative cross. As a re-enactor, I find these very intriguing, and asthetically I just find them so pretty! This one will likely not find its way into my shop (as my blue jade and sterling silver one has), but rather wait for the medieval festival in September.
And just a note,
I will begin promotions and such once I think there are enough readers to make it worthwhile!
Happy birthday, Miss Avealina!
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