Storyline
A medicinal jewel for the nouveau riche
The first pomanders were compressed balls with fragrant ingredients. A pulpless orange filled with spices or a piece of ambergris that could be rubbed between hands. This jewel comes a long way from being a compressed ball of musk or fruit stuffed with herbs. Its shape, the gems used for decoration, the spices within; all have a purpose beyond what first comes to mind. Let’s begin!
Credits
A story by Irene van Stein. As part of The Visual and Material Culture of Exchange in Asia and Europe, 1500-1800 at Leiden University, Faculty of Humanities. Supervised by Anne Gerritsen.