Use of this small silver box ?

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anikopol
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Use of this small silver box ?

Post by anikopol »

Hi all,

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

Image

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
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by 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
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by 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
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by oel »

Hi,

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


Best,

Peter
Dendriet
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by Dendriet »

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



Peter
Dendriet
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by Dendriet »

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

Regards
Dendriet :)))))
anikopol
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by anikopol »

Thanks for your help !
Shangas
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by 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
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Re: Use of this small silver box ?

Post by 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
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