Sander or pounce pot

1780-1860

Measurements

1-1/4 in x 4-1/8 in x 3 in

Materials

Painted and tinned sheet iron

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3572

Condition Notes

The paint is worn in many areas.  See "Comments" below.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The shallow oval box has an unpainted hinged lid with five holes arranged in the center.  The lid opens to allow the user to fill the box with pounce—a fine mixture of sand and/or other powders, then allows the user to sprinkle it on writing paper still wet with ink.  The pounce prevents the ink from spreading and it absorbs extra moisture to accelerate drying times.  The lid closes by pressure of the bent end against the rim of the box.

The tinned sheet metal box was painted red, a color associated with "japanning," a decorative strategy that evoked Asian objects.  The sides of this box may have had some ornamentation on them that has now completely worn away.  The lid appears never to have been painted.