Secret Solace Collection: Diffusing Pomanders

Your Portable Sanctuary

In the bustling courts of the 16th century, a pomander was more than jewellery—it was a personal fortress.

Bess and Grace brings this ancient tradition into the modern day with the Secret Solace collection.

Each Secret Solace pomander is a vessel for your well-being. Unlike traditional perfumes that fade on the skin, these necklaces act as a slow-release sanctuary, allowing you to carry a private cloud of calm wherever your journey takes you.

The Magic of Terracotta

At the heart of every Secret Solace necklace lies a hand-pressed terracotta stone. Chosen for its ancient history and natural porosity, terracotta acts as a miniature reservoir for your fragrance. It absorbs the essential oils and slowly releases them through the delicate filigree of your pomander, powered by the natural warmth of your skin.

Why Terracotta?

We use earth to carry the essence of the air. Terracotta provides a steady, subtle diffusion that doesn't overwhelm, but lingers—much like the enduring legacy of the women who inspired us.

The Infusion Ritual

  • The Opening

    Gently unlatch your pomander and release the terracotta.

    Place the terracotta on a tissue on a flat surface.

  • The Infusion

    Choose your scent from the Bess and Grace range. Place 1–2 drops of the botanical blend into the centre of the terracotta. Watch as the earth absorbs the essence, anchoring the scent within the clay.

  • The Stillness

    Pause for a moment. Let the oil settle until the stone is dry to the touch. This ensures the fragrance is fully locked into the terracotta, protecting your clothing while concentrating the aura.

  • The Connection

    Return the terracotta to its cage and click the clasp shut. For the next 2–3 days, your sanctuary is portable—a private, steady pulse of scent that grounds you in the wild of the everyday.

A Short History of the Portable Pocket-Cloud

Once upon a time…

—specifically the 16th century—the world was a bit... aromatic. Between the lack of plumbing and the penchant for wearing heavy wool in July, the "Great Stink" was a daily adversary.

Enter the Pomander, the original high-society life hack.

The "Apple of Amber"

The word comes from pomme d’ambre, essentially an "apple of ambergris." While it sounds like a fancy fruit, it was actually a ball of spiced resins, musk, and herbs. If you were a Tudor powerhouse like Bess of Hardwick, you didn't just walk into a room; you sent a fleet of scent-ships ahead of you.

The Ultimate Power Move

Back then, a pomander was the ultimate "Do Not Disturb" sign. If a courtier approached you with questionable breath or the streets of London were smelling a bit too much like the Middle Ages, you simply lifted your silver orb to your nose. Presto. You were instantly transported to a private garden of lavender and cloves, while the rest of the world stayed in the mud.

Protection, But Make It Fashion

People truly believed "bad air" (the dreaded miasma) carried bad vibes and even worse illnesses. So, carrying a pomander wasn't just a vanity project—it was a literal shield. Grace O’Malley might have used hers to cut through the brine and salt of the Atlantic, a tiny, scented anchor keeping her spirit grounded when the seas got rough.

Why We Still Need Them

We’ve traded the "Great Stink" for the "Great Stress." We may not be dodging 16th-century miasma, but we are dodging burnt office coffee, crowded trains, and the general "noise" of modern life.

The Secret Solace collection is simply the 2.0 version. We’ve swapped the messy wax balls for elegant terracotta, but the magic remains the same: it’s a tiny, beautiful cage that keeps your peace in and the world’s chaos out.

Fun Fact: Queen Elizabeth I famously wore a pomander shaped like a tiny ship. We like to think Grace O'Malley would have approved—provided the cannons were loaded with sandalwood.