The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Pomander

1600s–1700s

Mughal India

spherical rock crystal cover with enameled silver mounts
Overall: 4.5 x 3.2 cm (1 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.)
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.349
Location: Not on view

Description

This tiny pear-shaped vial worn tied to a sash would have held scented water or oil. The lid opens to reveal a perforated sprinkler decorated with fine filigree and colorful enamel. A popular scent was attar of roses, made from the essential oil of rose petals.
  • ?-1973
    (J. J. Klejman, New York, NY, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin)
    1973-1989
    Severance A. [1895-1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903-1989], Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1989-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Catalogue of the Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1990. cat. 192
    Lefèvre, Corinne. Les Arts Moghols, Paris: Citadelles & Mazenod, 2024. Mentioned and Reproduced: p. 453, fig. 470.
  • The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-September 2, 1990).
  • {{cite web|title=Pomander|url=false|author=|year=1600s–1700s|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1989.349