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Description
This is a 19th-century turned wooden desktop desk accessory, historically known as a pounce pot or ink sander. Before the widespread use of blotting paper, these small treenware vessels were filled with gum sandarac resin, ground cuttlefish bone, or fine sand, which was shaken through the pierced holes to dry wet ink on hand-written documents. The concave, shallow dish-shaped top allowed users to capture and pour excess powder back into the reservoir after use. This piece is turn-carved from a single piece of dense hardwood into a traditional barrel silhouette adorned with precise concentric horizontal reeds wrapped around the top and bottom shoulders.
- Manufacturer: Unbranded / anonymous hand-turned craftsmanship
- Material: Turned hardwood (possibly boxwood or maple)
- Age/Era: 19th Century (circa 1830–1880)
- Culture/Country of Origin: Anglo-American / English or American Treenware
- Markings: Unmarked
- Weight: 4.7 oz
- Dimensions: 3.25\" Height x 2.25\" Diameter
ConditionPre-owned. The item shows natural signs of age and use, including dark ink stains, smudges, and localized discoloration scattered across the turned exterior walls and inside the top pierced basin. The flat circular underside displays intentional incised maker lines radiating outward from the central lathe mark. Free of modern breaks, structural splits, missing parts, or restorations.Disclaimer
I am not an appraiser. All identifications regarding maker, materials, historical style, date, culture, and naming conventions are research-based opinions made entirely in good faith using the visible features of the item. Buyers are kindly encouraged to review all photographs carefully, do their own due diligence, and come to their own conclusions prior to offerding or purchase. Item is sold as is
