Gifts Galore: Victorian Pomanders

This is the first time I have seen Pomanders at M&S. This quaint Victorian method of masking odours actually came from France. The French called them pomme dambre or apple of amber. It was usually a ball made of perfumes like ambergris, musk, or civet.


Originally the pomander was worn on a neck chain or carried in a vase to protect from infection in times of pestilence or to dispel bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were perforated and often made of gold or silver. At times they has multiple partitions, each for a different perfume. They were extremely popular with royalty!!


M&S seems to be reviving this tradition with pomanders in two fragrances from their Floral Collection - rose and magnolia. Each gift box has a set of two pretty ceramic pomanders with floral designs, a ribbon hook, and scented pot pourri. Simply beauti.li.cious!!

Find them at: M&S