Featured Ink wells? Powder jars?

First, what do you call these?

They are hand painted, not Transferware.
The heights are 2”, 2-1/2” and 3”. Two of them have the corks, but pushed inside.

What words would I use to research them?

I think they are older.

 

Salt and pepper? I think made in Japan.

 

Yes, Japan quite likely. Shakers originally, but alternative use as holders for hat pins will also work.

 

Could possibly be a pounce pot? Here’s one said to be 19th century.
~

 

Just a suggestion as I don’t know if these were same size as pepper pots.

 

When I did an image search on eBay I got pounce pot and ink wells. Hmmm

 

What do you imagine a pepper pot is for?

 

Excellent question. We don't use "pepper pot" here in the US. Pepper shaker .

 

I just read up on a pounce pot. I think that’s what they seem to be. Old but not too valuable.

 

Hi,
I was used to hatpin holders as not having openings in the bottom. Only the shakers had openings for corks.
greg

 

Nooo. A pounce pot holds the sandy stuff that was used to keep ink on paper from smearing.

 

You all are wonderful!

 

I agree in general, Greg. That's why I said it was an "alternate" use.

 

Well blimey!! That’s the closest match I’ve seen!! TYVM

 

I see this colorway on Nippon shakers almost every week in the thrifts.

 

I think it’s funny that people advertise them as salt and peppers.

 

Kovels says that if it is 4” or taller, it isn’t a pounce pot.

 

Use becomes evident when you see matching pairs with 2 different size holes. Seeing them singly raises other possibilities. I have a couple, not a pair, my mother had somehow acquired & use them to hold stickpins.