what is a pounce pot

A pounce pot is a container used to store pounce, a fine powder made from materials such as powdered cuttlefish bone or sandarac resin). The perforated top of the pot allows the pounce to be gently sprinkled on a rough writing surface to make it smooth enough for writing or to dry ink quickly). Pounce pots were also used in a transfer technique called "pricking and pouncing," where a stencil with fine holes is used to transfer a temporary pattern onto fabric by dusting a fine powder that contrasts with the fabric over the stencil). Pounce pots are generally no larger than a clenched fist.