Fashion and Jewelry in the Renaissance

I read an article on a seminar on the subject "Fashion and Jewelry in the Renaissance". The subject on "hygiene jewelry" in the Renaissance, particularly interested me. It is from these jewels that I was inspired to create the Aroma jewels.

The Pommes de Senteur or Pomander are perfume diffusers, which appeared in the Middle Ages but which, during the Renaissance, took on another dimension and became real gold or silver jewelry. I found it very modern and innovative that this dual function, Fashion and Health, could be given to jewelry.

I wanted to combine the virtues of natural stones, plants, aesthetics and fashion accessories! In aristocratic circles, these so-called “hygiene jewelry” jewels are very popular and correspond to a real trend of the time.

They can take the shape of a ball or open like orange wedges to contain a paste or a scented powder (cinnamon, amber, musk or anise, etc.). See photos above. The fragrances are not chosen at random but according to the health virtues attributed to them, in order to ward off potential miasmas and diseases.

These jewels are worn like real fashion accessories. Depending on their size, they hang on a chain or belt and go directly to the garment worn. It should be noted that in France, the development of this fashion and the appearance of new perfumes are largely linked to the Italian influence of Catherine de Medici (1519-1589).