S/2698 Antique Treen 19th Century Boxwood Pounce Pot

A good example of an early 19th century boxwood pounce pot, having a saucer shaped top with small holes in the shape of a star for sprinkling the pounce. This was made up of fine powder from ground cuttle fish bone and chalk or fine alum. It was then spread onto rough parchment to make it smooth for writing and then used to dry the ink.

These pounce pots were often made from laburnum or lignum vitae, and it is pleasing to find such a good example in boxwood. The whole has a lovely colour and patination.

Labelled provenance: collection of John Peck of Newtown, May '29.

Sold 3 in. (7.5 cm.) High
3 in. (7.5 cm.) Diameter English Circa 1820