Porcelain Pastille Burners

Pastille burners are charming porcelain nineteenth century cottages, varying in architectural design, which held pastilles (small lozenges, made of saltpetre and essences) made by the still room maids and when lit, their perfume combated unpleasant odours in Victorian homes. Pastille Burners were made in all sizes by many of the well-known porcelain manufacturers but few are marked. These burners designed to look like miniature buildings, with chimneys to funnel the smoke into the room, are an historical record of the churches, toll-houses, summerhouses and country cottages of the time, and even after pastille burning fell out of favour, the burners continued to be made.