Pounce (calligraphy)

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Before the invention of blotting paper a fine powder, pounce, was sprinkled over wet ink to hasten drying. This powder is prepared from single substances such as finely ground salt, fine sand, and powdered soft minerals such as talc or soapstone. A mixture^[1] of sandarac gum, and pumice or cuttlebone serves as pounce and can also be used for sizing paper and vellum.

Pounce is commonly kept in a pounce pot, a small container resembling a salt shaker. After using pounce, the proper thing to do is return it to the pounce pot. Many have concave tops to make this easier.

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