Scented water sprinkler

Oriental scented water sprinklers are characterized by a long, narrow neck that enables sparing use of the perfume. Given its handles, the bottle is presumably based on metal or leather containers worn on a belt. The Düsseldorf sprinkler is a particularly early, large and moreover completely preserved specimen of this typical Object in Oriental Glasswork, which was common until the 19th century. Vessels such as this are known by the Arab word ‘qumqum’, or, in Egyptian dialect, ‘omom’. The value of pleasant-smelling substances for general well-being is widely known. Moreover, in the Orient in particular, people associated with the scents other functions too, such as the ability to ward off evil, cleansing properties and also a worshiping function, which even made its way to the West in the Catholic Church’s use of frankincense during mass. The bottle may have been intended for the Turkish custom of pouring scented water over the hands of guests after a meal. (Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk)