Object Description
An unusual late 18th century mahogany pounce pot in two sections, having a saucer shaped top that has small holes in a circular pattern for sprinkling the pounce. The removable drum shaped base has a screw thread and is used for containing the pounce, as they were normally made in one piece of either lignum vitae or boxwood. It is interesting to find one in mahogany.
Pounce 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. The whole has a rich colour and patination.