Why is it called a tantalus?

The name alludes to Tantalus, kept in sight of what he could not reach. The decanters sit on open display but stay locked into the frame. It was a household arrangement: spirits out on the sideboard, but nobody helping themselves.

How many decanters does one hold?

Three is the standard, and the phrase turns up in dozens of titles on Sellingantiques. Two-bottle frames are common as well, and the archive holds single-bottle examples and a handful of four-decanter cases.

What wood are they usually made from?

Oak dominates, in two fifths of titles, often described as golden, blonde or polished oak. Victorian oak is the single commonest pairing. Walnut, burr walnut, coromandel and mahogany make up much of the rest, with rosewood, satinwood, calamander and thuya appearing far less often.

What period do they date from?

Dealer dates run from 1850 to 1930. The 1880s is the busiest decade, followed by the 1890s and 1900s. Victorian is the label attached to nearly half the titles, with Edwardian a distant second. Anything claimed earlier than 1850 is isolated here.

What is a games compendium tantalus?

A case with a fitted drawer of games beneath the decanters. Around one in ten examples in the archive doubles this way. They sit above the middle of the range, since the extra fitment adds to what a buyer is getting.

Are silver-plated tantaluses different from cased ones?

Yes. A plated or brass frame is an open carrier, the decanters visible on all sides, with a locking bar across the tops. They account for about a sixth of the archive, and their share of current stock is higher than their share of past sales.

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Antique Tantalus

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A tantalus is a lockable wooden or plated frame holding two, three or four decanters, built so spirits could stand on show in a dining or billiard room without anyone lifting a bottle out.

19th century

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Quality Antique Victorian Oak Tantalus

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£575

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Antique Coromandel Combination Scent Bottle/jewellery Casket Tantalus 19th C

19th century

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Antique Coromandel Combination Scent Bottle/jewellery Casket Tantalus 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£1,350

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

A French Napoleon 111 Tantalus/liquor Cave a Liquer

19th century

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A French Napoleon 111 Tantalus/liquor Cave a Liquer

From Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

£1,100

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

1900 - 1920

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Edwardian Tantalus and Games Compendium

From Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

£650

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

A Late Victorian Period Oak Brass Mounted Tantalus.

19th century

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A Late Victorian Period Oak Brass Mounted Tantalus.

From Christian Davies Antiques Ltd

£395

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Stunning Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry and Frosted Liquor Stand

19th century

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Stunning Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry and Frosted Liquor Stand

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£695

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Exceptional Quality Antique Victorian Oak Marquetry Strung Tantalus

19th century

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Exceptional Quality Antique Victorian Oak Marquetry Strung Tantalus

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£1,195

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

19th century

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Antique French Bacarrat Ormolu & Glass Tantalus Cave a Liqueur 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£3,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

18th century

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George III Mahogany Decanter Box

From Walton House Antiques

£595

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

19th century

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19th Century Fitted Decanter Box, 4 Decanter Tantalus

From Elmgarden

£775

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

The top sale of the last year on Sellingantiques was a 19th century French Baccarat tantalus, ormolu with glass, in cave a liqueur form. It sold in December 2025.

A Late Victorian Period Oak Two Bottle Tantalus

19th century

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A Late Victorian Period Oak Two Bottle Tantalus

From Christian Davies Antiques Ltd

£245

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Fine Quality Antique Silver Plated Two Bottle Tantalus

1900 - 1920

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Fine Quality Antique Silver Plated Two Bottle Tantalus

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£695

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Victorian Single Bottle Oak Cased Tantalus

19th century

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Victorian Single Bottle Oak Cased Tantalus

From Sturmans Antiques

£229

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

19th century

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Black Forest “Cave De Liqueur”

From Elmgarden

£1,950

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Antique Old Sheffield Plate Three Bottle Decanter Cruet

19th century

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Antique Old Sheffield Plate Three Bottle Decanter Cruet

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£445

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

Stunning Elkington Antique 3 Bottle Decanter Set in Ornate Silver-plated Stand – 1860

19th century

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Stunning Elkington Antique 3 Bottle Decanter Set in Ornate Silver-plated Stand – 1860

From Kingsdown Antiques

£595

3+ MONTHS AGO

glass

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Antique Tantalus

Quality Antique Victorian Oak Tantalus

Antique Coromandel Combination Scent Bottle/jewellery Casket Tantalus 19th C

A French Napoleon 111 Tantalus/liquor Cave a Liquer

Edwardian Tantalus and Games Compendium

A Late Victorian Period Oak Brass Mounted Tantalus.

Stunning Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry and Frosted Liquor Stand

Exceptional Quality Antique Victorian Oak Marquetry Strung Tantalus

Antique French Bacarrat Ormolu & Glass Tantalus Cave a Liqueur 19th C

George III Mahogany Decanter Box

19th Century Fitted Decanter Box, 4 Decanter Tantalus

A Late Victorian Period Oak Two Bottle Tantalus

Fine Quality Antique Silver Plated Two Bottle Tantalus

Victorian Single Bottle Oak Cased Tantalus

Black Forest “Cave De Liqueur”

Antique Old Sheffield Plate Three Bottle Decanter Cruet

Stunning Elkington Antique 3 Bottle Decanter Set in Ornate Silver-plated Stand – 1860

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