A late 1800s coquilla nut egg shaped pomander with numerous perforations for smelling the scent inside. Nice punch hole decoration.
It measures 5cm l x  3.8cm w.
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.