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Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment

early 16th century

Not on view

This delicately carved bead was brought to the United States around 1800, having been acquired by an American merchant in Germany. With its especially intricate carving—including five concentric circles of angels, and a total of fifty-eight complete figures in the upper half alone—the bead demanded the special protection afforded by a leather case. Lined with soft satin, the hard leather shell is engraved on the outside: "Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him." The pierced holes at the sides allow the case to be suspended from a belt.

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment, Boxwood; leather case, Netherlandish

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This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Prayer Bead with God in Glory and the Last Judgment

Date: early 16th century

Culture: Netherlandish

Medium: Boxwood; leather case

Dimensions: Open: 4 7/8 × 2 1/8 in. (12.4 × 5.4 cm)
Case: 3 × 2 5/8 in. (7.6 × 6.7 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Miniature-Wood

Credit Line: Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts (M557)

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.