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ID #SA1240386
FOR SALE
£2,200
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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C
For sale by Regent Antiques
for sale €2,574     $2,794
£2,200
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
Browse dealers 673 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
  • Trade Associations
    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1240386
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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

This is a fine antique Victorian burr walnut three-decanter tantalus, circa 1880, featuring ebonised angles and brass hinges.

It opens to reveal a blue velvet-lined interior with three cut-glass decanters, faceted stoppers, and six liqueur glasses, complete with a working Bramah lock and key.

Provenance: Private collection Vale Of Glamorgan.

Condition:

Excellent, beautifully cleaned, polished, and waxed.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 25 cm x Width 34.5 cm x Depth 24.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 10 inches

A tantalus is a lockable liquor decanter set designed to prevent servant theft, leaving bottles visible yet unattainable. The name originates from the mythological Greek king Tantalus, condemned in Hades to eternal thirst and hunger just out of reach.

Walnut is a dense, prized furniture wood ranging from light sapwood to dark heartwood, while burr walnut features rare, swirling, highly valuable figuring from tree growths.

Bramah, London's oldest security company, was established in 1784 by industrial revolutionary Joseph Bramah, famous for inventing advanced locks, hydraulic pumps, and early toilets. Bramah locks were decades ahead of competitors like Chubb and Yale, gracing only the finest high-end furniture and homes.

Our reference: A5417

Physical Dimensions
Height
25cm (9.84")
Width
34.5cm (13.58")
Depth
24.5cm (9.65")
Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Victorian Burr Walnut Tantalus to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240386
Dealers Internal Reference
A5417
Description
This is a fine antique Victorian burr walnut three-decanter tantalus, circa 1880, featuring ebonised angles and brass hinges.
“
It opens to reveal a blue velvet-lined interior with three cut-glass decanters, faceted stoppers, and six liqueur glasses, complete with a working Bramah lock and key.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
fig 1. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

Provenance: Private collection Vale Of Glamorgan.

Condition:

Excellent, beautifully cleaned, polished, and waxed.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 25 cm x Width 34.5 cm x Depth 24.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 10 inches

fig 2. An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
fig 2. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

A tantalus is a lockable liquor decanter set designed to prevent servant theft, leaving bottles visible yet unattainable. The name originates from the mythological Greek king Tantalus, condemned in Hades to eternal thirst and hunger just out of reach.

fig 3. An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
fig 3. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

Walnut is a dense, prized furniture wood ranging from light sapwood to dark heartwood, while burr walnut features rare, swirling, highly valuable figuring from tree growths.

Bramah, London's oldest security company, was established in 1784 by industrial revolutionary Joseph Bramah, famous for inventing advanced locks, hydraulic pumps, and early toilets. Bramah locks were decades ahead of competitors like Chubb and Yale, gracing only the finest high-end furniture and homes.

Our reference: A5417

Height
25cm (9.84")
Width
34.5cm (13.58")
Depth
24.5cm (9.65")
Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this Victorian Burr Walnut Tantalus to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240386
Dealers Internal Ref
A5417
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
1 / 15
Archive I An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

Archive II An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View II
Archive III An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View III
Archive IV An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View IV
Archive V An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View V
Archive VI An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View VI
Archive VII An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View VII
Archive VIII An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View VIII
Archive IX An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View IX
Archive X An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View X
Archive XI An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View XI
Archive XII An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View XII
Archive XIII An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View XIII
Archive XIV An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View XIV
Archive XV An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques
Telephone 020 8809 9605 or 020 8802 3900
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 673
Items Sold 2,672
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
673
Sold
2,672
An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C
Ref: SA1240386
An open and closed 19th-century Victorian burr walnut tantalus box containing three cut crystal decanters, brass-mounted liqueur glasses, and a deep blue velvet lining.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTantalus & Decanter Sets
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialBurr Walnut, Brass, Cut Crystal, Velvet
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsBurr walnut veneer, brass mounts, drop-down front doors, velvet lining
  • SizeH 25 cm (10 in) x W 34.5 cm (14 in) x D 24.5 cm (10 in)

FAQs

A tantalus is a cabinet or frame holding spirit decanters equipped with a lock mechanism. Designed in the 19th century, it allowed contents to remain visible while preventing unauthorised consumption.

Victorian examples were typically constructed from hardwoods such as burr walnut, mahogany, or Coromandel wood. They feature brass fittings, velvet or silk interior linings, and hand-cut lead crystal decanters.

Authentic period pieces display hand-cut crystal decanters with matching stopper numbers, natural timber patination, period brass hardware with working lock mechanisms, and traditional cabinetmaking joinery.

Place the tantalus on a sideboard, drinks cabinet top, or library desk as a focal decorative accent. It can be displayed locked and closed or opened to showcase the crystal decanters and glass mounts.

Dust the timber with a soft cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish along the grain. Wash crystal decanters by hand using warm water and liquid soap, avoiding abrasive cleaners on brass hardware or fabric linings.
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