Pomander

Pomander

A pomander, from French "pomme d'ambre", i.e. apple of amber, is a ball made of perfumes, such as ambergris (whence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a neck-chain or attached to the girdle, and were usually perforated and made of gold or silver. Sometimes they contained several partitions, in each of which was placed a different perfume. Pomanders were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century.

A modern form of pomander is made by studding an orange or other fruit with whole dried cloves and letting it cure dry, after which it may last indefinitely. The modern pomander serves the functions of perfuming and freshening the air and of keeping drawers of clothing and linens fresh, pleasant smelling, and moth-free.

Pomanders were usually carried or hung on a belt.

References

*1911

External links

* [http://www.larsdatter.com/pomanders.htm Medieval & Renaissance Pomanders] 14th-17th century pomanders in museums


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  • Pomander — Un pomander est un pendentif porté par les nobles et les seigneurs du Moyen Âge. Le nom français est « pomme de senteur », qui devrait donner le titre de cet article. La première mention de pomander, ou pomme d ambre, désigne une pépite …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Pomander — Po*man der, n. [Sp. poma.] (a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of a ball. (b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by ladies, as at the end of a chain; more properly {pomander box}. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pomander — ► NOUN ▪ a ball or perforated container of mixed aromatic substances used to perfume a room or cupboard or (formerly) carried as protection against infection. ORIGIN from Latin pomum de ambra apple of ambergris …   English terms dictionary

  • pomander — [pō′man΄dər, pō man′dər] n. [earlier pomamber < MFr pome ambre, pomme d ambre < pome (see POME) + ambre, amber] 1. a mixture of aromatic substances balled together and carried about with one, esp. formerly as a supposed safeguard against… …   English World dictionary

  • Pomander — Der Begriff Bisamapfel bezeichnet Duftstoffzubereitungen mit Zutaten wie Ambra oder Moschus („Bisam“) sowie die tragbaren, meist annähernd kugelförmigen Behälter, in denen sie aufbewahrt wurden. Bisamäpfel wurden bis ins 17. Jahrhundert hinein zu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pomander — UK [pəʊˈmændə(r)] / US [ˈpoʊˌmændər] noun [countable] Word forms pomander : singular pomander plural pomanders a ball filled with pleasant smelling substances that is put in a cupboard, drawer etc and was carried in the past as a protection… …   English dictionary

  • pomander — noun Etymology: Middle English, modification of Anglo French pomme de ambre, literally, apple or ball of amber Date: 15th century 1. a mixture of aromatic substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box and used to scent clothes and linens or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pomander box — Pomander Po*man der, n. [Sp. poma.] (a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of a ball. (b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by ladies, as at the end of a chain; more properly {pomander box}. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pomander — /poh man deuhr, poh man deuhr/, n. 1. a mixture of aromatic substances, often in the form of a ball, formerly carried on the person as a supposed guard against infection but now placed in closets, dressers, etc. 2. the ball, box, or other case in …   Universalium

  • pomander — noun a) A mixture of aromatic substances, made into a ball and carried as a protection against infection b) An orange, studded with cloves, hung in a wardrobe to provide a sweet smell …   Wiktionary

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