NO. 1607. COLLECTION OF ROSARIES—CASANOWICZ. 339 



The Chinese official necklace, worn by dignitaries on state occa- 

 sions, is the Buddhist rosary which was made a part of the court 

 costume. These official su-rhiis are often nuide of costly materials 

 and adorned with fine carvings. They are here represented by the 

 following two numbers. 



8. Chinese official " su-chuy — The 108 beads of the main string are 

 palm wood balls five-eighths of an inch in diameter. The dividing, 

 as also retaining, beads are of silver, richly enameled, measuring 1^, 

 inches in diameter. The three counter strings have each ten beads, 

 likewise of enameled silver, but of smaller size, being only one-half 

 inch in diameter. From the retaining beads is suspended -a silk 

 ribbon embroidered with small glass beads of diverse colors to re^jre- 

 sent the Swastika and other symbols, with a silver enameled medal- 

 lion, measuring 2;J by If inches, in the center, and terminating in an 

 oblong or oval bead 2 inches long. Such an oval bead is also at the 

 end of each of the three counter strings, each 1^ inches long. They 

 are called the " four dewdrops," which they resemble, or the " dis- 

 ciple beads," or the " regents of the four heavens." They typify the 

 emperor, father, mother, and the teacher to whom a Chinese sub- 

 ject owes reverence and obedience." Length, 8 feet. China. (Plate 

 23, Cat. No. 202869, U.S.N.M.) Gift of Mr. Yang Yu, Chinese 

 minister to the United States, 1897. 



9. Chinese official " su-chu.'''' — Made of glass beads. The 108 beads 

 of the main string, five-eighths of an inch in diameter, are amber 

 colored; the dividing and retaining beads, 1 inch in diameter, are 

 green, wdiile those on the counter strings and the medallion or disk 

 on the pendant ribbon are of rose color. Length, 3 feet 8 inches. 

 China. (Plate 24, Cat. No. 55.59, U.S.N.M.) Lent by Miss Eliza R. 

 Scidmore. 



10. Chinese rosary. — Consisting of 108 globular beads made of 

 plum stones. Finely carved, so that on each bead, measuring one- 

 half of an inch in diameter, are seen five human figures in the midst 

 of flowers and trees. Length, 4 feet 7 inches. China. (Cat. No. 5526, 

 U.S.N.M.) Lent by Miss Eliza R. Scidmore. 



11. Chinese rosary. — Consisting of 108 globular beads made of 

 rhinoceros horn, terminating in two retaining beads and a tassel of 

 white silk. Length, 4 feet 8 inches. China. (Cat. No. 5541, 

 U.S.N.M.) Lent by Miss Eliza R. Scidmore. 



1%. Chinese rosary. — Consisting of 108 globular beads made of 

 ebony. Used by pilgrims. Length, 41 inches. China. (Cat. No. 

 5540', U.S.N.M.) Lent by Miss Eliza R. Scidmore. 



13. Chinese rosary. — Consisting of 108 ovoid beads made of ebony, 

 with the dividing and retaining beads of reddish agate. Length, 40 



"• The information on the Chinese rosary is largely derived from Miss Scid- 

 more' s notes. 



