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.

Quality Antique Edwardian Glass Decanters and Silver Plated Stand

1900 - 1920

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Quality Antique Edwardian Glass Decanters and Silver Plated Stand

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£575

FOR SALE

glass

1900 - 1920

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A Pair of Crystal Glass Square Section Tapered Decanters, English C.1910

From Mark J West

£235

FOR SALE

glass

Victorian Walker & Hall Silver Plated Tantalus

19th century

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Victorian Walker & Hall Silver Plated Tantalus

From Andros Antiques

£560

FOR SALE

glass

Antique Three Cut Crystal Decanter Inlaid Mahogany Tantalus & Games 19th C

19th century

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Antique Three Cut Crystal Decanter Inlaid Mahogany Tantalus & Games 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£1,675

FOR SALE

glass

Antique Victorian Coromande Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870

19th century

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Antique Victorian Coromande Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870

From Regent Antiques

£1,250

FOR SALE

glass

19th century

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Late Victorian (1890-1900) Oak Tantalus

From Browns Antiques and Reclamation

£445

FOR SALE

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Antique Betjemann’s Coromandel 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Silver Hallmarks 1907

1900 - 1920

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Antique Betjemann’s Coromandel 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Silver Hallmarks 1907

From Regent Antiques

£1,850

FOR SALE

glass

Wonderful Antique Oak Three Bottle Tantalus

1900 - 1920

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Wonderful Antique Oak Three Bottle Tantalus

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£525

FOR SALE

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

FOR SALE

glass

19th century

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19th Century Baccarat Crystal Cave a Liqueur Box

From Judy Fox Antiques

£3,200

FOR SALE

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.

19th century

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Quality Antique Victorian Oak Tantalus

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£575

FOR SALE

glass

Antique Satin Wood Inlaid Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th C

19th century

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Antique Satin Wood Inlaid Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£1,750

FOR SALE

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

FOR SALE

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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

FOR SALE

glass

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

FOR SALE

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

FOR SALE

glass

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Antique Tantalus

Quality Antique Edwardian Glass Decanters and Silver Plated Stand

A Pair of Crystal Glass Square Section Tapered Decanters, English C.1910

Victorian Walker & Hall Silver Plated Tantalus

Antique Three Cut Crystal Decanter Inlaid Mahogany Tantalus & Games 19th C

Antique Victorian Coromande Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870

Late Victorian (1890-1900) Oak Tantalus

Antique Betjemann’s Coromandel 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Silver Hallmarks 1907

Wonderful Antique Oak Three Bottle Tantalus

A French Napoleon 111 Tantalus/liquor Cave a Liquer

19th Century Baccarat Crystal Cave a Liqueur Box

Quality Antique Victorian Oak Tantalus

Antique Satin Wood Inlaid Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th C

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

Exceptional Quality Antique Victorian Oak Marquetry Strung Tantalus

Stunning Quality Antique Victorian Cranberry and Frosted Liquor Stand

A Late Victorian Period Oak Brass Mounted Tantalus.

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