A Rosary With A Nevers Spun-glass Bead – 18th Century

Priest with a Nevers drawn-glass rosary – 18th century

A Nevers drawn-glass statuette depicting a priest holding a rosary, dating from the 18th century.

He holds a rosary with yellow beads in his hand, a symbol of prayer and devotion.

As early as the 17th century, the city of Nevers became one of France’s leading centers for the production of small drawn-glass figurines, a craft tradition that continued into the 18th century.

These delicate figurines were made from rods of colored glass, softened over a lamp flame and then stretched, shaped, and assembled using small tools. This work required remarkable dexterity, as each element was crafted individually.

The glass artisans depicted religious figures as well as folk characters, trades, animals, and scenes from everyday life.

These small statuettes were primarily objects of curiosity and ornamentation, prized for their fine craftsmanship, their polychromatic colors, and the virtuosity of their construction. Religious subjects could also take on a devotional dimension.