Pomander

Artists

Description

Elongated globe shape on hexagonal flat foot with six hinged, segmented compartments held together with screw-in rounded top; cast foliate finial with loop for hanging. Each segment chased on exterior with scrolling foliate and floral motifs (different flowers on each, including tulips, poppies etc.) and a number from 1 to 6; top also decorated with scrolling foliate motifs. Compartments open out like a flower from central hexaform post, pierced at top of each facet. Each segment has sliding grooved lid which opens to reveal hollow interior, engraved with different letters, probably to indicate its contents (B,B,m,A,m,A)

Dimensions

6.35 x 3.6 cm (2 1/2 x 1 7/16 in.)

Provenance

David Berg, New York; his bequest to the Fogg Museum, 1999.