What is an antique tantalus?

A tantalus is a decorative cabinet or stand designed to hold glass decanters, featuring a lock mechanism that prevents unauthorised access to spirits while keeping the liquid visually displayed.

What materials were typically used in Victorian tantalus construction?

Victorian tantaluses were constructed using fine cabinet timbers such as oak, mahogany, or walnut, combined with silver-plated or brass mountings and lead crystal glass decanters.

How do you identify an authentic 19th-century oak tantalus?

Authentic 19th-century examples display hand-joined cabinetry, original brass or silver-plated locking mechanisms with matching keys, heavy hand-cut glass decanters, and original surface patina.

How do you style an antique tantalus in a modern interior?

An antique tantalus works well as a focal point positioned on top of a modern sideboard, drinks trolley, or executive desk within a home office or dining room.

How should an antique wooden tantalus be cleaned and maintained?

Clean the woodwork by dusting with a microfiber cloth and applying a neutral beeswax polish periodically, while washing glass decanters carefully by hand using lukewarm water.

for sale €2,194 $2,381

£1,875

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Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a fabulous antique Victorian Pollard Oak and silver plated tantalus, circa 1890 in date.

It consists of three cut crystal liquor bottles with stoppers and a silver-plated tray all housed in a magnificent pollard oak casket with silver plated mounts and a mirrored interior and a cribbage board.

There is a secret sprung drawer that pops out when you press the small brass button hidden behind the central decanter, it contains two packs of playing cards and a pair of dice.

It is fitted with the original working high-quality Bramah lock complete with key.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 36 cm x Width 40 cm x Depth 30 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot

Tantalus

is a type of liquor decanter in which the bottle stoppers are locked down tightly by a metal bar. This was to prevent the theft of the contents by servants. Like the name suggests, the decanters themselves are visible, drawing temptation while unattainable. A key is required for entry.

The most common types of tantalus holds three bottles or decanters while there are also smaller types housing only two. There are many different forms of tantalus. Often the encasement has metal handles on both sides and ornately carved decor. Crystal and metal versions are also a beautiful option when choosing a tantalus.

Tantalus derived its name from the story of the mythological Greek king, Tantalus, mortal son of Zeus and Pluto. To be tantalized is to be tempted with the unattainable, and the king was sorely tested. He was condemned to an eternity in Hades for angering the Gods and was forced to stand forever in water that, when he bent to drink, would recede and to gaze upon foods he could only reach for and never grasp.

The 1800s saw our Victorian predecessors apply the King’s name to the lockable decanter.

Bramah

is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex.

Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine.

Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight.

The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock and 70 years ahead of Yale. Original Bramah locks are most often found on the highest quality homes and furniture

Pollard Oak

Pollarding is a pruning system in which the upper branches of a tree are removed, promoting a dense head of foliage and branches. It has been common in Europe since medieval times and is practised today in urban areas worldwide, primarily to maintain trees at a predetermined height. The bole of the tree, constantly cut back over a period of years, will eventually form a lump, or ‘burr’, which when sawn for veneer, gives a lovely grained, swirling figure.

The effect is similar to that of burr walnut with its distinctive speckled grain. Burrs, or ‘burls’, are growths which appear on the side of tree trunks, resulting from a tree undergoing some form of stress. They may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus.

Our reference: A5053

Physical Dimensions

Height

36cm (14.17")

Width

40cm (15.75")

Depth

30cm (11.81")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Victorian Oak Decanter Tantalus to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1238411

Dealers Internal Reference

A5053

Description

This is a fabulous antique Victorian Pollard Oak and silver plated tantalus, circa 1890 in date.

It consists of three cut crystal liquor bottles with stoppers and a silver-plated tray all housed in a magnificent pollard oak casket with silver plated mounts and a mirrored interior and a cribbage board.

“

There is a secret sprung drawer that pops out when you press the small brass button hidden behind the central decanter, it contains two packs of playing cards and a pair of dice.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

It is fitted with the original working high-quality Bramah lock complete with key.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 36 cm x Width 40 cm x Depth 30 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot

Tantalus

is a type of liquor decanter in which the bottle stoppers are locked down tightly by a metal bar. This was to prevent the theft of the contents by servants. Like the name suggests, the decanters themselves are visible, drawing temptation while unattainable. A key is required for entry.

The most common types of tantalus holds three bottles or decanters while there are also smaller types housing only two. There are many different forms of tantalus. Often the encasement has metal handles on both sides and ornately carved decor. Crystal and metal versions are also a beautiful option when choosing a tantalus.

fig 4. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

Tantalus derived its name from the story of the mythological Greek king, Tantalus, mortal son of Zeus and Pluto. To be tantalized is to be tempted with the unattainable, and the king was sorely tested. He was condemned to an eternity in Hades for angering the Gods and was forced to stand forever in water that, when he bent to drink, would recede and to gaze upon foods he could only reach for and never grasp.

fig 5. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 5. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

The 1800s saw our Victorian predecessors apply the King’s name to the lockable decanter.

Bramah

is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex.

fig 6. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 6. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine.

fig 7. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 7. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight.

fig 8. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 8. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock and 70 years ahead of Yale. Original Bramah locks are most often found on the highest quality homes and furniture

fig 9. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 9. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

Pollard Oak

Pollarding is a pruning system in which the upper branches of a tree are removed, promoting a dense head of foliage and branches. It has been common in Europe since medieval times and is practised today in urban areas worldwide, primarily to maintain trees at a predetermined height. The bole of the tree, constantly cut back over a period of years, will eventually form a lump, or ‘burr’, which when sawn for veneer, gives a lovely grained, swirling figure.

fig 10. A 19th-century Victorian figured oak three-bottle tantalus open to reveal three cut glass decanters, a fitted cribbage board, and a drop-front drawer containing a silver-plated tray and playing cards. — fig 10. Antique Victorian Figured Oak Three Bottle Tantalus 19th C

The effect is similar to that of burr walnut with its distinctive speckled grain. Burrs, or ‘burls’, are growths which appear on the side of tree trunks, resulting from a tree undergoing some form of stress. They may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus.

Our reference: A5053