Memento mori pomander, German, 1750-1900

Memento mori in form of a coffin-shaped pomander (?), wooden, decorated with skeletons and symbols of death, German, 1750-1900

‘Portzenheimme’ is engraved on the underside of this small wooden coffin. This is possibly a surname. The coffin is thought to be a form of pomander - a vessel which held strong-smelling substances. These were sniffed should the user, for example, pass through a smelly area. Many believed illness could be carried by foul air, so carrying a pomander was a protective measure.

This pomander is also thought to be a ‘memento mori’. This literally means a reminder of death. Memento mori prompted people about the shortness of life and the inevitability of death. The coffin is certainly decorated with imagery of death. These include several skull and crossbones, the grim reaper with his scythe, and religious symbols including crosses and a praying figure.