Explore Fragrance Pomanders: Scented Ornaments For Your Home

A fragrance pomander is a ball made of perfumes, spices, or herbs. The term 'pomander' comes from the French 'pomme d'ambre', which means 'apple of amber' or 'apple of perfume'. Pomanders were worn or carried in a protective cage, usually made of gold or silver, as protection against infection and bad smells. Today, pomanders are commonly made with oranges or apples studded with cloves, but other fruits can be used, such as lemons. They are often used to freshen the air, scent clothes and linens, or as decorative objects.

Pomanders are a mixture of aromatic substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box

The term "pomander" comes from the French "pomme d'ambre", or Apple of Amber. It is a mixture of aromatic substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box. Pomanders were first mentioned in literature in the mid-13th century and were used in the late Middle Ages through to the 17th century. They were originally carried as religious keepsakes, but they evolved into fashionable jewellery, often enriched with gems and enamels. They were believed to protect against infections and noxious smells.

The most common form of the pomander is a clove-studded orange or apple, but they can also be made with other fruits such as lemons. The fruit is studded with whole cloves and sometimes other spices, and then left to cure dry. This process can take many years, but once complete, the pomander can be used to perfumne and freshen the air, as well as keeping clothes and linens smelling pleasant.

In the late 16th century, the pouncet box appeared. This was designed to hold liquid perfumes, blended with powder and absorbed on a sponge or piece of cotton. It retained the traditional features of the pomander, such as perforations to release the scent, and was favoured by the upper classes who appreciated the delicacy of liquid perfumes.

Today, pomanders are no longer believed to ward off infections, but they are still valued as decorative objects that provide a pleasant scent. They are often placed around the home, tucked into Christmas trees or wreaths, or hung from doorknobs or windowsills. Making pomanders can be a calming and meditative craft, with infinite possibilities for customisation.

They were used as a guard against infections and to offset foul odours

The word "pomander" comes from the French "pomme d'ambre", or "apple of amber". It is a ball made of perfumes, spices, or herbs, often enclosed in a perforated bag or box. Pomanders were used as a guard against infections and to offset foul odours, particularly during the late Middle Ages when they were popularised in Europe. At this time, the lack of advanced medical knowledge meant that infections, pestilence, and diseases were common, as was the smell of sickness.

Pomanders were believed to provide protection from these issues and were often carried or worn as a result. They could be hung from a neck chain or attached to a belt or girdle. The globular cases that contained the pomanders were usually perforated and made of gold or silver. Sometimes they contained several partitions, each holding a different perfume.

The term "pomander" can refer to the scented material itself or the container that holds it. The container could be made of gold, silver, or other materials and could be shaped like nuts, skulls, hearts, books, or ships. Smaller versions were made to be attached by a chain to a finger ring and held in the hand.

Today, pomanders are commonly made with oranges or apples studded with cloves, but other fruits such as lemons can also be used. They are often used to freshen the air, scent clothes and linens, and keep drawers of clothing and linens fresh and pleasant-smelling.

Pomanders were popularised in Europe around the late Middle Ages

The word "pomander" comes from the French "pomme d'ambre", or "apple of amber", and refers to both the scented material itself and the container that holds it. Pomanders were popularised in Europe around the late Middle Ages, when they were used for protection against infection and disease, as well as to mask the smell of sickness. This was due to the poverty and lack of advanced medical knowledge of the time. They were also seen as a symbol of good luck and health.

The practice of wearing or carrying a ball of perfume (often in a protective cage of the same name) became widespread during this period. The pomander was typically made from a composite of resins such as benzoin, calamite, labdanum and storax balsam. These ingredients were ground and cooked together, with the resulting mixture often shaped into an apple or other shapes like nuts, skulls, hearts, books, and ships. The "apples" were then coated with sweeter spices like cinnamon, clove and sweet sanders. They were also given a finishing coat of ambergris dissolved in deer or civet musk.

The use of plants for fragrance extended to personal fragrance during the Middle Ages, as the Catholic clergy discouraged parishioners from using perfumes or scented oils on themselves. However, the censers used to distribute the smell of incense during mass inspired the creation of pomanders by members of the nobility to counter the natural aromas of the urban areas of the time. The crusaders also popularised the use of rosewater, which was highly fashionable among the nobility.

The Renaissance saw fragrance trends in Europe move back towards liquid and oil fragrances, with the rise of pouncet boxes and blended distillations of botanicals as signature fragrances for the aristocracy.

They were made from fragrant spices, herbs, perfumes, ambergris, musk, civet, and more

A pomander is a ball made from fragrant spices, herbs, perfumes, ambergris, musk, civet, and more. The term comes from the French 'pomme d'ambre', or 'apple of amber'. The pomander was worn or carried in a case to ward off infection during times of pestilence or to mask bad smells. The cases were often made of gold or silver and hung from a neck chain or belt.

The pomander's scented material was made from a variety of ingredients, including fragrant spices such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, saffron, coriander, and cardamom. Spices are derived from various plant parts, including bark, roots, seeds, and fruits. The essential oils extracted from these spices are used to create fragrances.

Fragrant herbs used in pomanders include eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and more. These herbs are also used in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics.

Perfumes used in pomanders included ambergris, a waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It has a strong scent and was highly valued by perfumers as a fixative, helping the scent last longer. Another perfume used in pomanders was musk, a base note in perfumery that acts as a stabilizing agent. Musk was originally obtained from the glands of musk deer, but today, it is mostly synthetic due to economic and ethical concerns.

Finally, civet, a strong-smelling secretion produced by the civet's perineal glands, was also used in pomanders. Both male and female civets produce this secretion, which is highly valued as a fragrance. Today, synthetic substitutes are often used instead of natural civet due to ethical concerns and the availability of alternatives.

Pomanders can be considered an early form of aromatherapy

A pomander is a ball made of perfumes, spices, or herbs, often carried in a perforated bag or box. The term "pomander" is derived from the French "pomme d'ambre", which means "apple of amber" or "apple of perfume". Pomanders were believed to protect against infections and diseases and were used to offset foul odours. They were commonly worn or carried in a protective cage, especially during the late Middle Ages, when they were also considered fashionable jewellery.

The use of pomanders can be considered an early form of aromatherapy due to their purpose of providing therapeutic scents. The scented product was believed to have protective and medicinal properties, serving as a guard against infections and diseases. Pomanders were also used to mask unpleasant odours, providing a pleasant fragrance instead. The practice of using pomanders as a form of aromatherapy can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, with the first recorded mention of pomanders appearing in literature in the mid-thirteenth century.

The creation of pomanders often involved a mixture of aromatic substances, including fragrant spices and herbs. These ingredients were enclosed in a perforated bag or box, allowing the scent to be released and fill the surrounding area. The process of making pomanders can be quite meditative, requiring focus and attention to detail. The design and style of the pomander are left to the creator's preference, making it a fun and creative craft.

In the late 16th century, the pouncet box was introduced, which was designed to hold liquid perfumes blended with powder. This evolution of the pomander allowed for a more delicate fragrance experience. The pouncet box was mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part I, highlighting its popularity and cultural significance during that time.

Today, pomanders are still used as decorative and aromatic objects, providing a pleasant fragrance to clothing, drawers, and linens. They are commonly made with oranges or apples studded with cloves, creating a spicy-sweet scent. The process of making and gifting pomanders continues to be a tradition for many, especially during the cooler seasons.

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