What is a pomander?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A pomander is a small decorative case designed to hold scented materials, worn as a pendant or carried in the hand, and it was one of the most personal pieces of jewellery from the medieval period through the Renaissance. The case, often made of gold or silver in hinged, sectioned or pierced forms, was filled with herbs, spices, dried flowers or aromatic resins, and was worn close to the nose to ward off unpleasant smells and the illnesses people believed came with them. Fine antique pomanders are collector's pieces today.
Frequently asked questions
- What was a pomander used for historically?
- Pomanders were worn or carried during the medieval and Renaissance periods partly for pleasure and partly for protection, as people believed strong scents could guard against plague and disease. They were a practical accessory as much as an ornamental one.
- What were pomanders made of?
- The cases were typically gold or silver, often beautifully engraved or set with gemstones, and they came in many shapes including spheres, oranges and pomegranates. Inside they held aromatic substances like ambergris, civet, musk, cloves or dried herbs.
- Are pomanders still made today?
- Antique pomanders are collected and worn, particularly pieces from the Tudor and Stuart eras. Modern jewellers occasionally interpret the form as a locket or pendant with a scented interior, though the term today is perhaps more commonly associated with clove-studded Christmas oranges than jewellery.
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