The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Job's Tears Rosary [ARK00197]
Attached People: Collector (major) - Bargrave, John (1610-1680)Location(s): Current location at - Canterbury Cathedral Library and Archives (Library and/or Archive) -> Canterbury Cathedral (Institution)
Annotation:[Canterbury Catalog: The common name "Job's Tears" refers to the droplet-shaped, pearly white "beads," and to the biblical man of the Old Testament who endured great suffering. This relationship to tear drops is also reflected in the specific epithet lacryma-jobi, in reference to the tear-producing lacrimal glands located near the eyes. Although there is unanimous agreement that the beads resemble tears, there appears to be some disagreement as to exactly whose tears the beads resemble. This plant has various names including David's tears, Saint Mary's tears, Christ's tears (Lacryma Christi), and just plain tear drops. Their natural colour is pearly white, but they can be readily dyed shades of red, blue, green and yellow.] (early - mid 17th cent)