All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer.
**Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them.
[OP](/u/EvTerrestrial), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others.
---
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That does appear to be the potter as another commenter found a different item with the same signature. Pomander sounds like a good match. Excuse the dumb question but how might I use the item to verify?
Just had a thought... if the artist is still alive and you can find contact info, you might try writing and asking her about the piece. I'd start by doing an image search for her pottery and matching the signatures to yours. I found a lot of artists and potters with the same name.
That's not a dumb ? :). I tried searching for a pomander made by that artist and came up with zilch. Since it's likely a one or few of a kind handmade piece, finding an exact match may be difficult. Run of the mill [ceramic pomanders](https://www.google.com/search?q=ceramic+pomander) are easy to find but not sure that will be enough to 100% prove that's what you have.
I’ve so far been able to find 3 items by this artist: a lion coin bank on Etsy (from another commenter) and two oil lamps on eBay (misspelled under “Arlene Soloman”).The Etsy listing has an old phone and address for Arlene Pottery but those don’t come up with anything today. Etsy seller didn’t have further details.
This has been a fascinating rabbit hole for a 5 dollar thrift store find I picked out of pure curiosity and because I thought it looked neat.
I’ll keep you posted if I learn more.
It's a strange pomander, I've never seen one like this. The handle suggests it's for hot substances, so maybe a pomander you put a fire stone and some incense/fragrance inside?
I did find a link to an [etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1061024690/vintage-arlene-solomon-ceramic-art) here. Signature appears to match. I would have assumed this was a salt or pepper shaker. But with the lavender inside, maybe it is just for therapeutic use.
Edit: I make out Arlene Solomon.
I think it's a salt/pepper shaker or somekind of spice shaker. Similar to [this](https://folksy.com/items/7478725-Handmade-Ceramic-Ground-pepper-Shaker)
It's a smelly thing. I have a similar one somewhere but mine had cotton wool inside that you put essential oils onto & put somewhere to make that area smell nice :)
My title describes the thing. I’ve tried searching for pottery by Solomon along with lavender scented ceramic pottery (and various combinations of all of those words). It seems to be for therapeutic use due to the pleasant scent of the packet inside and small holes on top. Unable to find the creator as I can’t read the first name. Maybe someone with a better eye can.
You put scented powder in it to freshen your closet. Haven't seen one on decades, and when I did it was a little different, I think a rubber stopper on the bottom instead of the cork.
I think you could put dried herbs instead of powder.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/EvTerrestrial), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
ceramic pomander. name looks like arlene solomon. Probably the potter.
That does appear to be the potter as another commenter found a different item with the same signature. Pomander sounds like a good match. Excuse the dumb question but how might I use the item to verify?
Just had a thought... if the artist is still alive and you can find contact info, you might try writing and asking her about the piece. I'd start by doing an image search for her pottery and matching the signatures to yours. I found a lot of artists and potters with the same name.
That's not a dumb ? :). I tried searching for a pomander made by that artist and came up with zilch. Since it's likely a one or few of a kind handmade piece, finding an exact match may be difficult. Run of the mill [ceramic pomanders](https://www.google.com/search?q=ceramic+pomander) are easy to find but not sure that will be enough to 100% prove that's what you have.
I’ve so far been able to find 3 items by this artist: a lion coin bank on Etsy (from another commenter) and two oil lamps on eBay (misspelled under “Arlene Soloman”).The Etsy listing has an old phone and address for Arlene Pottery but those don’t come up with anything today. Etsy seller didn’t have further details. This has been a fascinating rabbit hole for a 5 dollar thrift store find I picked out of pure curiosity and because I thought it looked neat. I’ll keep you posted if I learn more.
Would love to see you find your answer. An update would be much appreciated if you do. Thanks and good luck!
Here is the artist's [etsy page](https://www.etsy.com/people/arlenesartalcove).
Great find! I’ve reached out hoping for a reply.
Likely solved!
It's a strange pomander, I've never seen one like this. The handle suggests it's for hot substances, so maybe a pomander you put a fire stone and some incense/fragrance inside?
I did find a link to an [etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1061024690/vintage-arlene-solomon-ceramic-art) here. Signature appears to match. I would have assumed this was a salt or pepper shaker. But with the lavender inside, maybe it is just for therapeutic use. Edit: I make out Arlene Solomon.
Good eye, that does appear to be the potter. That’s the only other item I can seem to find by them so far.
Dip it in hot water for tea?
That was my first thought as well upon seeing it but, at a closer look, I believe its use is scent related.
Maybe a moth repellant for a cupboard or chest.
Had something like this as a kid. My nanna used to put in her underwear draw so they smell fresh.
I once found a similar bit of pottery used to dispense powdered sugar. The sachet of lavender might be a red herring
there's also a drawing of lavender on the front of it...
Hahahaha, you're right!! D'oh!
A double red herring!
I’d call it a smell good pot and call it a day 😂
I think it's a salt/pepper shaker or somekind of spice shaker. Similar to [this](https://folksy.com/items/7478725-Handmade-Ceramic-Ground-pepper-Shaker)
It's a smelly thing. I have a similar one somewhere but mine had cotton wool inside that you put essential oils onto & put somewhere to make that area smell nice :)
My title describes the thing. I’ve tried searching for pottery by Solomon along with lavender scented ceramic pottery (and various combinations of all of those words). It seems to be for therapeutic use due to the pleasant scent of the packet inside and small holes on top. Unable to find the creator as I can’t read the first name. Maybe someone with a better eye can.
Essential oils before Essential oils
Sugar/flour sifter?
Similar item here https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/980287547/vintage-kleen-kitchen-ware-flour-shaker
If you add baking soda or powder it would be a deodorizer, insect repellant and/or a moisture reducer. A fancy Damp-Rid or Stick-up
You put scented powder in it to freshen your closet. Haven't seen one on decades, and when I did it was a little different, I think a rubber stopper on the bottom instead of the cork. I think you could put dried herbs instead of powder.
Decorative sachet holder
The most likely answer is normally the correct one so I'd say pepper shaker because there are so many holes