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The Universal and Exotic Scent Ball

Related Images

  • Figure 1: “Mannerist silver and silver guilt Pomander”. Unmarked, 16th century. German. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/196980
  • Figure 2: Detail of top of “Silver guilt Pomander”, 1580. Unmarked. England. Boston Museum of Fine Arts. https://collections.mfa.org/objects/59367

After opening the pomander, it becomes visible that the engraved letters in our object match the rest of its general decorative style. On each of the eight sections, the engraved names of the aromatics it was supposed to house are written in a form of archaic italian: ‘moschete’, ‘cedro’, ‘viole’...It is made of silver guilt and contains wriggle-work, a metalwork decorative technique popular in England between 1660 and 1730. “Metalwork Decoration Techniques,” [Victoria and Albert Museum. 2006](http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/m/metalwork-decoration techniques.)

The subtle angular embellishments of this pomander are in contrast to the popular decorative trends of the times, depicting flora and fauna. “Metalwork Decoration Techniques,” Victoria and Albert Museum. 2006. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/m/metalwork-decoration techniques.

This object is supported and stabilized by a circular stand that seems to end in petal-like shapes. As a result, this pomander proves itself to be unique in an aesthetic sense, as the wriggle-work on its body is geometric and does not match many others of the same time period.