THE LI WOOD CARVERS SHOW


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

PRAYER NUTS, NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK

 

These Look Like Simple Walnuts, But...

 

The 16th Century:
In addition to tiny, beautiful prayer books and rosary beads, people of the past liked to express their love of religion and beauty with objects known as prayer nuts. They were carved from wood.
Prayer nuts were mainly produced in northern
Europe during the 16th century.
​ O​nly the wealthy could afford them.
The outsides alone were marvelously carved with intricate designs, including text. Everything was held in place with wooden hinges carved right into the piece. These prayer nuts would usually be attached to