Wybrane różańce z badań w kościele parafialnym pw. św. Mikołaja w Gniewie

Abstract

Selected rosaries from archaeological excavations in the parish church of St. Nicholas in Gniew Selected rosaries excavated during researches in Gniew St. Nicholas church are dated back to the 16th and 18th centuries. They were made of wood, glass, seeds and metal parts. Each of them differs in details. They were made with great care. Part of the beads was interpreted as a rosary, because it was strung on braided silk strings, in the arrangement of small beads separated in 10 by large ones. The lack of preserved cords at other monuments may suggest that they were originally made of a material of inferior durability, i.e. of hemp or linen thread. At the ends of the rosaries, various hangers were placed, next to crosses made of turned wooden beads, medallions or brass crosses were hung, and sometimes both items inscribed in the strongly developed symbolism of the Catholic world, as well as various examples of sacred art. Rosaries in the modern period were not only an element facilitating the order in prayer, but also material evidence indicating the Catholic confession of the possessor of this items. Apart from medallions and crosses, they were the easiest to understand means of communication, especially for the illiterate part of society.