Medieval pomander paste formulas usually contained ambergris.

Today, we're embarking on a whimsical journey through time to uncover the enchanting history of pomanders. These delightful aromatic balls have a rich and magical history that spans centuries, from their origins in medieval Europe to their modern-day popularity.

Nov 22, 2024 · Orange pomanders make beautiful Christmas gifts, ornaments, and air fresheners. Medieval herbalists used pomanders —mixtures of fragrant, dried herbs in cloth bags or perforated boxes—to ward off illness or bring strength and good fortune. The term “pomander” comes from the French phrase pomme d’ambren, which translates to “apple of amber.”

For now, this page focuses on extant examples of pomanders; while many portraits show pomanders worn at the end of a girdle (as in the 1564 portrait of Anne Fernely), sometimes it’s hard to tell whether it’s a pomander or just a fancy tassel or similar ornament.

Mar 13, 2021 · To the medieval mind, pomanders may have been thought to work in ways that went beyond their fragrance. In Perfumes and Pomanders, Launert states that pomanders also probably functioned as amulets, and that both the container and its contents had “apotropaic significance”, and were used to ward off evil. He notes that “Not infrequently ...

Jan 1, 2025 · The origins of pomanders trace to medieval Europe where they were used for health, protection from supernatural forces, and as a fashionable accessory. The word pomander is a combination of two...

Oct 9, 2024 · The first references to pomanders were made in the mid thirteenth century in Medieval Europe where the plague was raging. The ingredients in the pomander were thought to fend off disease as well as to protect from evil spirits and bad luck.

Dec 14, 2023 · The pomanders, first recorded in Europe in the Middle Ages served as herbal amulets worn around the neck or placed in the home, with the intention of protecting one from the Plague and other Infections.

pomander, small metal (sometimes china) container designed to hold a ball of aromatic spices or herbs. Worn suspended from neck or girdle or attached to the finger by a ring, it was believed to be a protection against infections and noxious smells.

Jul 6, 2018 · To the medieval mind, pomanders may have been thought to work in ways that went beyond their fragrance. Launert states that pomanders also probably functioned as amulets, and that both the container and its contents had “apotropaic significance”, and …