Help! I think I have a name for it, but . . .
Posted by Woodhouse on June 19, 1998 at 12:03:26:
In response to Sand, written by Ken on June 18, 1998 at 15:38:01
. . . I may very well be wrong. I have heard the term "pounce-box" used, but I am drawing the meaning from context. Specifically, in Heyer's Regency novel "April Lady," it is said of Nell as she writes a letter: "She had just signed her name and was about to shake the pounce-box over the single sheet of paper, when the door opened."
HOWEVER, in "Devil's Cub", another novel by the same author (but a Georgian, not a Regency) the hero's valet says of his master's mode of dress and overall appearance: "One could wish for greater care in the arrangement of the cravat, and a more frequent use of the curling-irons and pounce-box; but (he has) nothing to conceal."
SO . . . these meanings seem to conflict. Maybe the term pounce-box just meant "a shaker", to be used for sand, or in the last case, hair powder, which was used with the curling irons during the Georgian period. How was hair powder applied anyway?
Snarkhunter, what say you? Can anyone cross-post to the Heyer page and get a definitive answer? Thanks!
- "Pounce pot" Erin L 15:43:27 6/20/98
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- Only $2500? :-) I'll take a half-dozen! (nfm) Woodhouse 20:05:32 6/20/98
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- Sand included at no extra charge! (nfm) Erin L 14:00:54 6/21/98
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- Sand included at no extra charge! (nfm) Erin L 14:00:54 6/21/98
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- Only $2500? :-) I'll take a half-dozen! (nfm) Woodhouse 20:05:32 6/20/98
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- From the OED Helen 13:51:47 6/19/98
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- Heyer Laura W 01:36:00 6/28/98
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- Heyer Laura W 01:36:00 6/28/98
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