![Boxwood Carved Rosary Gaud or Nut. c.1480-1530. © Trustees of the British Museum Boxwood Carved Rosary Gaud or Nut. c.1480-1530. © Trustees of the British Museum](https://www.langantiques.com/university/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Gaud_nut-q88jzw8aqaj7j57sc4a1mjtibzscxqpenw10jtp0nc.jpg)
![Rosary_Gaud_Nut Rosary Gaud](https://www.langantiques.com/university/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Rosary_Gaud_Nut-q88jzchoqrs6rc0gjdqvo6stuwhng3j1l6bth0iaa0.jpg)
A gaud is a charm or trinket typically found at the end of a rosary. They could be fashioned as a crucifix or other small medallion depicting a Biblical scene or saint. A spherical type of gaud called a nut was carved from boxwood or hardstone and hinged open to reveal intricate carvings of the figures of saints or Biblical scenes and were often hung from a rosary. Sometimes these hidden treasures were made of metal and elaborately enameled. An entire rosary could be composed of intricately carved nuts.
French: noix or grain de chapelet German: Betnüsse
![Boxwood Carved Rosary Gaud or Nut. c.1480-1530. © Trustees of the British Museum Boxwood Carved Rosary Gaud or Nut. c.1480-1530. © Trustees of the British Museum](https://www.langantiques.com/university/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Gaud_nut-q88jzw8aqaj7j57sc4a1mjtibzscxqpenw10jtp0nc.jpg)
![Rosary_Gaud_Nut Rosary Gaud](https://www.langantiques.com/university/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Rosary_Gaud_Nut-q88jzchoqrs6rc0gjdqvo6stuwhng3j1l6bth0iaa0.jpg)