By Ahmed Al-Sherbini and Noura Al-Marzouki
Dubai: A German antique rosary has sold for Dh235,000 at the Dubai Rosary Exhibition 2026, where rare and historic prayer beads and materials valued at more than $1 million are also on display.
Weighing about 100 grams, the antique rosary consists of 33 beads, each measuring between 17 and 17.5mm. The sale, the most expensive at the exhibition so far, reflects collectors’ growing interest in rare and antique pieces.
The exhibition runs from 6 to 8 November and brings together companies, traders, collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. Participants include those from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and China.
Among the highlights are a rare Faturan rosary valued at more than $1 million and dating back more than 120 years, as well as a piece of German amber dating to 1880 and valued at around $1 million.
The exhibition also features an amber necklace dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria and valued at more than $250,000, along with amber rosaries, some worth around $126,000.
The exhibition has attracted a large turnout of visitors of various nationalities, with participating companies showcasing collections of luxury rosaries and rare materials.
Participants and organisers said the exhibition, being held in Dubai for the first time, provides a platform connecting international companies with enthusiasts, buyers and investors. They said it also creates opportunities for the rosary trade and strengthens Dubai’s position as a global destination in the sector.
Rare Faturan rosaries
Dr Anwar Al-Yassiri, owner and manager of Faturan, a rosary supplier, said his company is displaying a rare rosary made from Faturan material and valued at more than $1 million. The piece dates back more than 120 years.
He said the gold-inlaid rosary is distinguished by the rarity of its material and its historical value, as well as its association with renowned Turkish turner Iskandar, whose signature it bears. Iskandar was known for crafting rosaries for sultans and pashas during the Ottoman Empire.
Al-Yassiri said the rosary had belonged to an Ottoman sultan known as Sultan Ahmed before it was lost and later recovered. Its beads bear specific symbols that determine their correct order, making it impossible to reassemble them properly if their sequence is altered.
The rosary is made from rare black Faturan and is being displayed as an artistic and historical piece rather than being offered for sale.
The company is also exhibiting another Faturan rosary valued at more than $100,000. The piece is distinguished by its black colour, which turns blue when light is shone on it, and was made by a famous Turkish turner known as Horoz.
Al-Yassiri said old Faturan, made from petroleum derivatives, is no longer produced using traditional methods. Modern manufacturing methods differ, contributing to the scarcity and higher value of older pieces and increasing their appeal to collectors and investors worldwide.
Rare amber pieces
The exhibition devotes significant space to amber, a material that has been used for centuries in jewellery and rosary making. Amber pieces can command high prices depending on factors such as rarity, age, colour, size, condition, quality and craftsmanship.
Jalal Al-Husseini, director of Amber Island, said his company is displaying a rare piece of German amber dating back to 1880. Weighing about one kilogram, it is valued at around $1 million.
He said the polished amber is suitable for making rare rosaries and has attracted interest from investors and enthusiasts because of its scarcity. The German factory that produced it closed long ago, and the processes used to manufacture and turn such pieces are no longer available in the market.
The company is also displaying a rare Baltic amber necklace valued at more than $250,000 and dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, adding to its historical significance. Its collection includes luxury amber rosaries, some valued at around $126,000.
Mohammed Al-Falahi, director of Eleganto Amber, said the exhibition strengthens Dubai’s position in the trade of rare and luxury prayer beads and attracts investors from around the world.
His company is showcasing an amber rosary priced at more than Dh35,000 and crafted from a single piece of amber, giving its beads a harmonious appearance in both shape and colour.
The Dh235,000 sale of the German antique rosary illustrates another dimension of prayer beads beyond their traditional use. Antique and rare pieces have become sought-after collectibles, attracting collectors and enthusiasts who value them according to their individual characteristics, provenance and history.
International participation
Ali Al-Khalidi, general manager of the “Prayer Beads in Dubai” exhibition, said: “The exhibition, which is the first of its kind in the UAE, featured rare and luxurious pieces worth millions of dollars, and attracted the attention of enthusiasts and investors from the country, the Gulf countries and various parts of the world.”
He added that the exhibition provides a platform bringing international companies together with enthusiasts and buyers, opening opportunities for expansion in the rosary trade and strengthening Dubai’s position as a destination for displaying and trading rare and luxury pieces.
Dr Ahmed Yousef Al-Shanqiti, head of the exhibition’s organising committee, said: “The exhibition is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating companies and countries, and the size of the display of rosaries and their rare materials.”
He said the inaugural edition features participants from 21 countries and more than 86 companies and platforms specialising in the rosary trade. It also includes live rosary-making workshops and an in-person auction, while Dubai Central Laboratory is participating to issue instant inspection certificates for rosaries.