18th to early 19th century pounce pot, or sander, in ebony and bone, excellent original condition. No cracks or repairs. Measures 3 inches high by 2.75 inches wide. Pounce pots are small containers with perforations at the top that were used to store pounce, a fine powder made from crushed bones, pumice, gum sandarac resin, sandstone, or talc. Pounce was sprinkled on parchment or ink to help it dry and to prepare paper for writing. Pounce pots are also known as sanders. The pounce was gently sprinkled all over the writing on the paper. When using a quill or a steel nib, and with inks that are made up to match those typically in use during the 18th and 19th centuries, and provided the pen has been used with the fine strokes typical of handwriting of that period, the handwriting will be sufficiently dry within 10 seconds to allow the paper to be folded without blotting. Gently vibrating the paper while the pounce or sand is on it ensures that little or no pounce or sand sticks to the handwriting and excess sand or pounce is shaken off before folding the paper.
Small antique pine half model. English, circa 1880. Carved pine. Measures 4.5" high x 9.5" long x 1.25" deep.
Rare 19th century marlinspike, which is a type of fid. The fid was made of wood or bone. The marlinspike was shaped the same way, but made of metal. One of the most useful knots that it is used for is the marlinspike hitch. This hitch creates a temporary opening in the knot to allow insertion of a handle. It is often used when creating a rope ladder. This one has a walrus bone grip and a steel spike and is 11.5 inches long.
19th century Staffordshire Sunderland and Tyne earthenware luster bowl. Decorated with a sailing ship and a sailor's verse. Staffordshire, England, circa 1830. Measures 7.25 inches across and 4 inches high. Very good original condition. 'The sails unfurl, let the billows curl. The north wind bleak we brave; And strangers to fear, our wild course steers, thru' the foam of the wintry waves; Let the hurricane howl, be it fair or foul, our ardour nought can check. On the giddy Top-mast we sing to the (?), our (?) on the sea wash'd deck.'
Sunderland pearlware jug. Staffordshire, England, circa 1850. On one side is a 3 mast bark (barque), on the other side is the River Wear's iron bridge, and on the front is a sailor's sentiment. Measures 7" high x 9.25" handle to spout. Excellent condition.