Paternoster by Chris Last

Aaron Schnatterly · Post by **Aaron Schnatterly** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:10 am

Chris and I have been discussing kit details and items for a good while. We're focusing on is the "little details" - none of which are insignificant - they are what makes a kit a KIT. A piece that I particularly wanted was a paternoster.... Chris took this and ran with it, and made me a beautiful one as a gift this holiday season. Thanks a ton, brother... means a whole lot. Huge surprise, took me completely off guard.

He made it from black agate, red pearls, stirling beads and cross... Viola!!! A beautiful 5-decade paternoster! Pearls are 5 or 6 mm, and the overall length is probably around a foot if it's laid out straight.

I'm starting to accumulate some really nice personal pieces for that soft kit, and this is certainly a very welcome addition.

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:50 am

I'm so glad you like it my friend!

The only thing to add is that its strung on linen as opposed braided silk, although a friend is teaching me how to braid cord so hopefully it can be restrung if needed.

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:33 pm

That's wonderful! I really like it a lot! Coincidentally I bought a very simple one last weekend, but I'm still looking for a posh one, like this. Beautiful!

Aaron Schnatterly · Post by **Aaron Schnatterly** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:22 pm

Kaos wrote:That's wonderful! I really like it a lot! Coincidentally I bought a very simple one last weekend, but I'm still looking for a posh one, like this. Beautiful!

I'd bet that if you were interested, Chris could knock another down for you, man!

Funny... your kit came to mind thinking that with the addition of this piece I was a step closer to getting my kit up to snuff, with quality and depth of character that is exhibited in yours as a target goal. That's my focus for '09 - Chris just gave it a nice kick into the new year.

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:40 pm

Sure, let me know. I had fun making this one and would be up for making some more.

knitebee · Post by **knitebee** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:27 am

Details, details, details....

Love 'em

brian

Jeff J · Post by **Jeff J** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:30 am

Extremely pretty. I wish I could look more closely at the gauds. It's hard to find good ones. They look like the ones Chris Laning (paternoster goddess) uses here: http://paternoster-row.org/03-gauds/03-Gauds.html

I've never heard of "red pearls", and can't seem to find them as occurring in nature.

What are your thoughts on spacing of the beads? Many medieval ones seem to be fairly loosely strung, but others seem tight, which is difficult to maintain with most threads.

Disclaimer: discussion, not criticism.

Aaron Schnatterly · Post by **Aaron Schnatterly** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:50 am

I'm about to hit the door for work, Jeff, but I'll try for some more detailed shots here this afternoon.

As to the spacing, there is probably a LOT of personal preference wiggle-room. I'm thinking that in this case, I like them snugged up. There is just enough give between to be able to slide one forward, but I can't stick my thumb between beads and touch the thread. For a loop, with these smaller diameters, it flows around the wrist, making "daily devotions" easy enough.

For a strand, though, I'd want more give. I'm hoping we can find the stuff to do one like this (photo from the same site as Jeff referenced above):
[img]http://paternoster-row.org/99-gallery/0 ... /amber.jpg[/img]

The beads on that one are much larger. With an inch or so, it would count like an abacus, sliding the bead forward. Dynamics of use are different... say your prayer, let another bead drop as opposed to say your prayer, roll the loop forward (or back).

The red pearls... I'm they are natural pearls, but I'm thinking they are dyed, and they are really quite stunning. Unfortunately, their lustre is diminished in that photo. Another thing I'd love to find is red coral in a nice size and shape, but what seems to pop up often is dyed sponge coral.

Being personally pretty spiritual, but not very religious, I'm finding myself to be extremely and a bit surprisingly intrigued by these, and bet that over time, I'll accumulate a number of them.

LR of E · Post by **LR of E** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:32 am

what exactly is a paternoster and what do you do with it? Wiki and google aren't much help.

Morgan

Karen Larsdatter · Post by **Karen Larsdatter** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:13 am

LR of E wrote:what exactly is a paternoster and what do you do with it? Wiki and google aren't much help.

http://paternoster-row.org and http://www.sca.org.au/stow/rosary.pdf and http://www.fridayvalentine.com/rafaella ... rs2003.pdf should help. (For more examples from the Middle Ages, see http://larsdatter.com/rosaries.htm -- there's also Compleat Anachronist #135, "Bedes Byddying: Medieval Rosaries & Paternoster Beads.")

As to what to do with them, see http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02361c.htm

LR of E · Post by **LR of E** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:31 am

Thanks Karen.

Morgan

Jeff J · Post by **Jeff J** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:40 am

Karen Larsdatter wrote:
LR of E wrote:what exactly is a paternoster and what do you do with it? Wiki and google aren't much help.
http://paternoster-row.org and http://www.sca.org.au/stow/rosary.pdf and http://www.fridayvalentine.com/rafaella ... rs2003.pdf should help. (For more examples from the Middle Ages, see http://larsdatter.com/rosaries.htm -- there's also Compleat Anachronist #135, "Bedes Byddying: Medieval Rosaries & Paternoster Beads.")

As to what to do with them, see http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02361c.htm

Super Larsdatter... TO THE RESCUE!

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:49 am

The pearls are man made. Unfortunately it was the only way that I could affordably get the color and semi uniform shape I was looking for. Looking to get some coral and amber for the next batch of these I want to make.

The play on the one for Aaron mimics the play on my grandmother's rosary (which was handed down to her so I think mid-late 1800's). Like Aaron said, enough play to move the beads between your thumb and forefinger, but not a whole lot of sliding around.

Cian of Storvik · Post by **Cian of Storvik** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:38 pm

I've done a few rosaries to go with different outfits. Paternosters were one of the few things that were exempt from sumptuary laws, and so some of the merchant class (non-noble, gentry) really used them to show off their wealth.

These both have natural corals (the one on the left has 14mm natural blue coral from the pacific) and artificial pearls. There is a Jehan d'Pelham penny mounted behind the crucified Jesus showing the long cross of Edward I. (I would have used a gold quarter noble, but it was too large to fit in the crucifix).

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:03 pm

So we went a bit nutty on making some more paternosters. Here's a few:

Hang on, need to crop some photos.

Lets try this:

Coral w/ Jet

Red Jasper w/ Agate

Seaweed Quartz

Jet w/ Filigree

Wood w/ wood

Blue stone (I think quartz)

Agate w/ Jet

Agate w/ Textured Glass

Jet w/ Goldstone

Tigereye w/ pewter

Mac Thamhais · Post by **Mac Thamhais** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:43 pm

Very Nice.

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:03 pm

Thanks! They are all on either silk or linen thread, and the tassels are made out of the same materials.

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:15 pm

And what are you doing with all these very cool things?

Chris - GSMBristol · Post by **Chris - GSMBristol** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:50 pm

Probably putting them up for sale in the classifieds. PM me if there's something you are interested in!