Pomander

[1] The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a neck-chain or belt or attached to the girdle, and were usually perforated in a variety of openwork techniques and made of gold or silver.

[9] Benzoin resin, calamite, labdanum, and storax balsam were ground into a powder, dissolved in rose water and put into a pan over a fire to cook together.

Other kinds of jewellery were made as containers for the scent, including tablets or lockets, pendants, bracelets, aglets, buttons, and chains with filigree beads.

[12][13] Among the jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots, were two complete suites of head-dresses, necklaces and belts comprising openwork or filgree gold perfumed pomander beads to hold scented musk.

[16] A string of filigree pomander beads, suitable for a rosary, is thought to have been a gift from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Gillis Mowbray and is held by the National Museum of Scotland.

[17] In the late 16th century, the pouncet box appeared which, whilst retaining the traditional features of the pomander, was designed to hold liquid perfumes, blended with powder and absorbed on a sponge or piece of cotton.

[citation needed] This modern pomander serves the functions of perfuming and freshening the air and also of keeping drawers of clothing and linens fresh, pleasant-smelling, and moth-free.