Sander or pounce pot

1840-1880

Measurements

3-1/8 in x 2-7/8 in (dia)

Materials

Probably boxwood, paint

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3801

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

This turned box with holes pierced in the bowl-like lid was made to sprinkle pounce--a fine mixture of sand and/or other powders--that, when sprinkled on a writing surface still wet with ink prevented the ink from spreading.  Pounce also absorbed moisture, thus accelerated drying.  Pounce pots were also called sanders, sand casters, and other terms.

This caster was turned from boxwood, a lightweight and durable wood that turned easily.  This example was probably turned in two parts:  the bowl and body on the one hand, and the wide foot on the other.  Bright red paint, probably added in the 20th century, obscures the tight seam between the two parts that screwed together.  Removal of the bottom allowed pounce to be added.

Other boxwood pounce pots in the Historic Odessa collection include accession nos. 1959.3553 and 1971.843.