Flask, powder flask, pomade flask

The name pomade or pomatum was “derived from pomum, an apple, because it was originally made by macerating over-ripe apples in grease.” Pomatum was created from fats, such as lard, tallow, or marrow, although by the late 1800s, “cocoa butter, cocoanut [sic] oil, castor oil, almond oil, spermaceti, … wax, and … vaseline” were used. Olive oil, poppy oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, and almond oil were also sometimes used in combination with meat fats. One recipe combined a pound of sheep suet (fat) with one pound of pig suet. Sixteen rosewater-boiled apples were added. Fragrance then enhanced this mixture, and might include some combination of rosewood oil, bay leaves, bergamot orange, or Macassar oil. Such fragrances helped to lengthen the interval between hairdressing sessions and counteracted any rancid odors. Powder was typically made from wheat flour or dried white clay. Beanmeal or cornflour was also used. Powder was often enhanced by fragrances, such as those of orange flowers, rose petals, nutmeg, ambergris, jasmine, orris root, or lavender. Powdered orris root, derived from the Purple Flag, was particularly favoured in the 17th century, for its astringent, protective and healing properties. Its capacity to absorb and release scent slowly made it a common fixative ingredient for perfumes and its drying properties helped to counteract excessive build-up of moisture. Most people resorted to powdering their hair (probably with Fuller's earth at first, rather than wheat flour and starch which was used in the 18th century) in an effort to absorb the grease. The anonymous author of Youth's Behaviour in 1654, objected strongly to this practice because it clogged the pores and eventually resulted in baldness, and the necessity for wearing 'a beastly thing, what you call it? a Periwiigge'. He suggested another remedy: 'I should think it cleanly enough and more wholesome and better exercise to make use of a good honest corase Linnen Rubber every morning for thy Head'. As the fashion for wigs reached new heights in the late 17th century, most of the sophisticated pomades were produced by the peruke or periwig makers who provided a 'maintenance service' for their client's wigs.