Pomander

What is Pomander?

A pomander is a small ball or container designed to hold scented materials. Traditionally, it could be made from gold, silver, or other metals, often with openwork designs to let the fragrance escape. The container might be worn on a chain, attached to a belt, or even used as a bead in jewelry or a button. The scented filling could be a paste of resins, spices, and animal perfumes, or, in modern times, a fruit like an orange studded with cloves. Pomanders were used to perfume the air around the wearer and sometimes as a protective charm.

Where does Pomander come from?

The word pomander comes from the French 'pomme d'ambre', meaning 'apple of amber', referring to ambergris, a traditional ingredient. Pomanders first appeared in literature in the mid-13th century and were popular through the Middle Ages and Renaissance. They were initially religious keepsakes, later becoming fashionable accessories among the aristocracy. Over time, the design evolved from simple balls to elaborate containers shaped like hearts, books, or ships. By the 18th century, pomanders were largely replaced by vinaigrette boxes.

How Pomander is made

To make a traditional pomander, resins like benzoin, labdanum, and storax were ground, mixed with rose water, and cooked. The mixture was shaped into a ball, coated with spices such as cinnamon and cloves, and infused with animal scents like ambergris, musk, and civet. The finished ball was placed inside a decorative, often perforated, metal container. In modern times, a common method is to stud an orange or other fruit with dried cloves and let it dry, creating a long-lasting scented ball for freshening air or linens.

When and where Pomander is used

Pomanders were carried or worn to mask unpleasant odors and, in times of plague, were believed to protect against disease. They were popular among royalty and the upper classes, often worn as jewelry or attached to clothing. In the home, pomanders were placed in drawers or closets to keep clothes and linens smelling fresh. Today, clove-studded fruit pomanders are made as crafts, especially around holidays, for their pleasant scent and decorative appeal.

Forms of Pomander

Pomanders came in many forms: large balls, tiny beads for rosaries, buttons, lockets, and even cape fasteners. The pouncet box, a related item, was designed to hold liquid perfumes absorbed on cotton or sponge and became popular in the late 16th century. Pomander containers could be simple or highly ornate, sometimes shaped like nuts, skulls, or ships, and made from precious metals.

What Pomander means

Pomanders were once considered protective and were associated with both personal hygiene and spiritual well-being. They appear in historical records, literature, and art, such as in Shakespeare's plays and in the film 'Rosemary's Baby'. The tradition of making clove-studded fruit pomanders continues as a seasonal craft. The pomander's evolution reflects changing ideas about scent, health, and personal adornment.

Questions people ask about Pomander

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Pomander on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data