Nowadays there are various kinds of bomboniere, and the shops that sell these items are very widespread, but it might be interesting to know that the tradition of giving these objects as presents is older than one can imagine, and following their evolution can be useful to learn something about the history of European art and habits. First of all, the term “bomboniera” comes from the French word “bombonnière”, i.e. sweet box (“bon-bon” is the French word for sweets), which was used in France in the 18th century. The “bombonnière” was a small, precious box or cup containing sugared almonds or other sweets, which was realised by goldsmiths and artisans, and which was considered as a little work of art to be flaunted and to be proud of. Being considered as a good-luck object, it was fit for important events like weddings and births.
Although the term bomboniera comes from an 18th century’s French word, the tradition of giving precious, well-wishing objects containing something, like sugared almonds, was already widespread in earlier centuries: in 15th century’s Italy, for example, the future bride and groom used to exchange precious caskets, and the man gave the woman the so-called “coppa amatoria” (amatory cup), i.e. a ceramic dish full of sugared almonds, and this gift was aimed at wishing fertility and prosperity. Sugared almonds, in particular, which have always been a symbol of happiness and abundance (in the ancient times guests used to give the bride and groom almonds, walnuts, dried fruits and small cakes, which can be seen as the ancestors of sugared almonds), spread after the discovery of the “Indies”, thanks to the importation of sugar. Also in England, in the 16th century, people used to give “sweetmeat boxes”, i.e. small boxes realised with precious materials which were given to ladies as a well-wishing gesture.
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In the 18th century bomboniere began to be used specifically as wedding souvenirs, and were already appreciated in France, above all by noble people (they were realised with precious materials, like mother-of-pearl, ivory, gold). However, it was in the 19th century that they began to be much used, due to the development of industrial production, and after World War II people began to use bomboniere as gifts for other important events, like baptisms and first communions. In the beginning one of the most used material to produce bomboniere was baked clay, besides silver, which has never gone out of fashion: many brides and grooms keep choosing silver bomboniere like teaspoons, little boxes or dishes, pillboxes etc.
The shapes of bomboniere have always followed the main artistic movements, from the rococo to the Neoclassical style ceramics at the end of the 18th century, while in the 1920s Italian ceramics factories began to produce bomboniere taking inspiration from Futurism.
Nowadays bomboniere are not always precious objects, and sometimes people prefer to choose useful items which can be easily reused, or which are personalised according to the taste of the bride and groom that choose them (for this reason handicrafts bomboniere are more and more in demand), in order to highlight and to remind the guests about the uniqueness of the feeling that unites them.
