Use of this small silver box ?

[anikopol]

Hi all,

Here is small item in silver (height : 4.3 cm, width : 2.2 cm).



The only mark :
a swan in an oval : French mark for items from abroad with a fineness of 800/1000 at least, 1893-1970

According to me, it was made probably between 1760-1800, and probably in French countryside (old French objects with no marks could sometimes be later marked with a swan, as if they were from abroad), or Belgian or German.

I do not known the use of such an object :
- Is it a snuff box ? It seems a bit smal for this use according to me
- Is is a snuff used for powder for gun during travel/hunting ?
- Is is a box for spices (pepper...) used druing travels ?

Let me know your advices...
Thanks

[AG2012]

Hi,
Necessaire/etui or perfume scent bottle holder
If googled with these keywords many similar 18th century items with similar dimensions can be found (even with small scent bottles and stoppers).
Too deep and narrow for picking up tobacco, gun powder out of question.
Regards

[Dendriet]

Hi Ag2012,

I think it's a sand holder (to dry ink)
it's a part of a set.
Google sand holder ink

Regards
Dendriet

[oel]

Hi,

Should call it a plain silver lo(d)derein doosje or indeed scent box, it could be 18th century.


Best,

Peter

[Dendriet]

And the Winner is................?



Peter

[Dendriet]

And of course  AG2012
I was totally wrong.
deep blush on my cheeks, shame.

Regards
Dendriet :)))))

[anikopol]

Thanks for your help !

[Shangas]

The word is "Pounce Pot", for holding pounce (highly absorbent powder or dust, for soaking up ink).

But I don't think it's a pounce-pot. They have a rather distinct shape (due to how they're used), and I don't see that here.

[dragonflywink]

Though the terms are often used interchangeably, pounce was/is used to prepare the writing or drawing surface, while drying sand would be used to absorb excess ink. Believe it was already established that this item is not a sander...

~Cheryl