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Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus
Sold by Antoinettes Heirlooms
sold SA705068
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Antoinettes Heirlooms

Antoinettes Heirlooms

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
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Id #SA705068
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Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus

19th century
Sold 11 November 2025 · Antoinettes Heirlooms
This “Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antoinettes Heirlooms. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

This is an outstanding piece of exceptional quality.

The ebonised body is inlaid with brass bands and fretwork.

The inlaid boule work is polished tortoise shell and has highlights of polished mother of Pearl.

Boule work became very popular in 17th century france, during the reign of Louis XIV.

Andre Boule used tortoiseshell ivory ebony.bone, horn, mother of pearl, silver and brass. He perfected the intricate inlay technique in 1673.

The cabinet has its original contents

Four decanters are all engraved with matching engraved stoppers.

All free from chips or cracks.

The glasses are all complimentary and original to the decanters.

Both the glasses (14)

And

Decanters and stoppers (4) have a matching engraved floral pattern.

This cabinet still has a working locking mechanism, the key is a later addition which does work.

An absolutely stunning piece. In complete original order.

Date of Manufacture

Antoinettes Heirlooms has dated this Ebonised French Cave a Liqueur to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
32cm (12.60")
Depth
24cm (9.45")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA705068
Dealers Notes

You are the new custodian, enjoy and treasure, this heirloom.

I trade most mondays in Covent Garden, London.

if you are travelling to london especially to view stock, please telephone to check i am trading that week, and to ensure i take the stock you want to view.

goods over £50 will be shipped to Uk mainland address's free of charge, apart from larger goods such as taxidermy and furniture. please contact me for shipping costs for these items.

UK highlands and islands contact me to confirm shipping costs

world wide shipping is via courier, duties and taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to message me or telephone.I always reply within 24hrs.

purchases are not, as a general rule despatched on sunday and mondays.

if you require urgent delivery always contact me prior to purchase.

overseas customers are responsible for any local import taxes incurred.

Description
This is an outstanding piece of exceptional quality.

The ebonised body is inlaid with brass bands and fretwork.

The inlaid boule work is polished tortoise shell and has highlights of polished mother of Pearl.

fig 1. An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses.
fig 1. Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus

Boule work became very popular in 17th century france, during the reign of Louis XIV.

Andre Boule used tortoiseshell ivory ebony.bone, horn, mother of pearl, silver and brass. He perfected the intricate inlay technique in 1673.

fig 2. An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses.
fig 2. Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus

The cabinet has its original contents

Four decanters are all engraved with matching engraved stoppers.

All free from chips or cracks.

The glasses are all complimentary and original to the decanters.

Both the glasses (14)

fig 3. An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses.
fig 3. Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus

And

Decanters and stoppers (4) have a matching engraved floral pattern.

This cabinet still has a working locking mechanism, the key is a later addition which does work.

An absolutely stunning piece. In complete original order.

Date of Manufacture

Antoinettes Heirlooms has dated this Ebonised French Cave a Liqueur to the 19th Century.

Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
32cm (12.60")
Depth
24cm (9.45")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA705068
Antoinettes Heirlooms
Antoinettes Heirlooms
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Heirlooms , past, present and future

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antoinettes Heirlooms Profile Page

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An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 5
Archive I An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique French Decanters “Cave a Liquor” Ebonised French Tantalus

Archive II An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. View II
Archive III An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. View III
Archive IV An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. View IV
Archive V An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Location
The Pheasant Room
The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel
Charlecote
Warwickshire
CV35 9EW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 63
Items Sold 209
Antoinettes Heirlooms
Antoinettes Heirlooms
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: The Pheasant Room, The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel, Charlecote, Warwickshire, CV35 9EW, United Kingdom
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
63
Sold
209
An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses.
Antique French decanters “cave a liquor” ebonised French Tantalus
Ref: SA705068
An open ebonised French cave a liqueur featuring inlaid brass and red tortoise-shell ornamentation, containing four cut-crystal decanters and matching liqueur glasses.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleNapoleon III
  • MaterialEbonised Wood, Brass, Glass
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsBoullework inlay, Brass stringing, Fitted interior tier, Etched glass decanters
  • SizeH 26 cm (10 in) x W 32 cm (13 in) x D 24 cm (9 in)

A cave a liqueur is a portable or tabletop drinks cabinet originating in 19th-century France, designed to securely house decanters and matching glasses for entertaining guests.

These pieces are typically crafted from exotic hardwoods such as mahogany or ebony, often featuring ebonised finishes, brass stringing, mother-of-pearl inlay, and hand-blown crystal glassware.

Authentic pieces generally feature period brass locks, hand-cut crystal decanters with matching stoppers, traditional dovetail joinery, and interior wooden frameworks custom-fitted to the glassware.

Position the piece on a sideboard, home bar, or console table with the doors open to showcase the crystal, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary living spaces.

Clean the ebonised wood gently with a soft, dry cloth and treat periodically with appropriate furniture wax. Wash the crystal decanters by hand using warm, soapy water and avoid harsh abrasives.
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