A Chinese famille rose scholar's item (pounce pot) China Yongzheng period (1723-1735) Dim : 9 cm x 6 cm Minor chips These sand pots function in a manner very similar to a salt shaker. They would have been filled with a finely ground powder (pumice, gum sandarac powder, or crushed cuttlefish bone), commonly found in Chinese porcelain and likely modeled after forms in pewter or silver. Generally no larger than a closed fist, the perforated top of the sander allowed fine powders to be gently shaken over a writing surface.