Not sure how to describe this necklace/belt??

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

I am not even sure it is a necklace or belt. It runs about 64″ laid flat from end to end. It has several religious charms all along it. Two of the charms have “Sterling”, so I am assuming they are silver. This was in the bottom of a box lot from an auction. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

http://imgur.com/a/oejJf

[Nancy]

I think it might be a rosary worn at the waist of nuns and monks. Google Image search ‘waist, rosary -tattoo’ and you will see some that are similar

[Jay]

Exactly. Like This:
http://www.catholic-convert.com/wp-content/uploads/godong-monks-rosary-rome-lazio-italy-europe.jpg

[Nancy]

Yes! Thanks Jay 🙂

I grew up Catholic.

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

Thanks, everyone! I would have never made that connection! Thanks!

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

Is there a way to date these or tell what the beads are made of? I see prices all over the place. Most of what was in this auction lot ranges from the 1960’s to early 70’s, so I would assume it is in the same range. Is there anything special about any of the charms?

[Jay]

ThatI don’t know about. When you research prices, learn why one sells better than another. Those hints will help you age your pendants. Its a brave new world!

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

That it is and with no knowledge of anything Catholic. I’ll figure it out or put it up for auction and let the market decide.

[Jay]

Agreed.
–Putting an unknown item out for auction certainly makes it easier. You might get lucky and start a bidding war, but I’d say 95% of the time, the item sells for opening price (if at all) because it’s a long tail item.

–Taking the time to research is a pain in the ass, but then you open up an entire new category of item to sell. That hour or so researching isn’t wasted. The next time you’re out scavenging, you’ll know more about that category than 95% of the people on the planet. This is how we become better scavengers each year.

[Nancy]

I can’t think of anyway to place its age off the top of my head. The charms are probably saints who have been around for hundreds of years or different stations of the cross. Maybe you could find a place that sells them and they could help.

[Jay]

I would look at the kind of metal (steel, lead? aluminum?).
Does it look like cast metal? Or is it handmade?
Again, we always just compare it to other similar items when we’re researching.
Seeing their photos and descriptions usually gets us up to speed pretty quick.

[BourbonTrailBazaar]

That is how I generally research items I am unsure of. Knowing what I now have makes a big difference.

[Habnab]

All of the phrases and marks on the medallions could be Googled, and the marks on the backs could give you some clues about the age. If the research isn’t interesting to you, I think you can safely call it vintage, or even antique, and put a decent price on it. Even from my highly secular point of view, it’s a lovely object.

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