SKULL ROSARIES - EARLY CHURCH TRADITION Where do we go to understand why skulls were / are used in rosaries and chaplets? We can track the use of skulls in prayer beads, rosaries and chaplets back to the late middle ages (1066-1485) . The custom was especially popular from the 15c through the middle of the 19c in Italy, Germany and Mexico (from Spain) and in prayer counters from other religions.
Beads are half rounds of rock crystal with interior painting held together in frames Rosary and Cross 16th century, Italy Rock crystal, painted and gilded, with pearls and gilded silver mounts Museo Civico d'Arte Antica e Palazz
Rock crystal pendant, shaped as a locket with two views, gold-mounted. On one side is a scene of Golgotha, composed of small figures in carved ivory. The other is an exceptional "memento mori", showing a skeleton in enamelled gold, a hand holding the hourglass of Time and the other a deadly arrow. Milan, late 16th century - early 17th century.