pounce box

writing accessories

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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A pounce box, also known as a pouncet-box, was a small box, typically made of silver, used in England from the mid-16th to the early 17th century. These boxes were characterized by perforated lids, allowing for the sprinkling of pounce, a powder used to dry ink on paper.12

Additionally, pounce boxes often contained a sponge soaked in pungent vinegar. This was carried by gentlemen as a way to ward off diseases and offensive odors. The concept is similar to other personal scent containers like pomanders and vinaigrettes.1

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inkstand
…candlestick to hold small tapers), pounce box (for sprinkling pounce, a powdered gum that fixed ink to paper), wafer-box (to hold wafers used to seal letters), a penknife, and quills. The use of inkstands gradually disappeared after fountain pens were perfected early in the 20th century.
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…candlestick to hold small tapers), pounce box (for sprinkling pounce, a powdered gum that fixed ink to paper), wafer-box (to hold wafers used to seal letters), a penknife, and quills. The use of inkstands gradually disappeared after fountain pens were perfected early in the 20th century.
Read More