This is a 19th century coquilla nut pomander, with several holes in the dome topped lid to allow the sweet aromas to be smelt. They were used to mask bad odours and also it was believed that foul air caused deadly diseases.
The name Pomander is derived from the French pomme ambre or pomme d’embre, meaning “amber apple”. This referred to a fruit infused with vinegar and other aromatic substances. Sometimes small sweet smelling sponges were inserted inside the pomander, sometimes pieces of fruit studded with cloves were used.
This footed example still retains a faint sweet smell to it.
It measures 7.3cm h x 3.5cm h.