A tantalus is a locking wooden frame that holds decanters upright, securing the stoppers so the liquor cannot be poured without a key. Victorian households utilised these to deter servants from sampling fine spirits while keeping the bottles displayed on a sideboard.

How do I use them today?

These small glasses suit after-dinner cordials, small pours of spirits, or espresso service. Hand washing protects the delicate antique crystal, enamel work, and silver mounts from the harsh heat of modern dishwashers.

What is a cave a liqueur?

A cave a liqueur is a portable wooden box or caddy fitted with a velvet or silk interior designed to hold a set of matching liqueur decanters and glasses. Popular during the 19th century, these locking caddies protected fragile glassware during travel and kept the barware organised in a parlour.

Dating relies on stylistic clues, such as geometric Art Deco forms from the 1930s, ornate Victorian cranberry glass, or heavy 18th-century balustroid stems. Maker marks, signatures on the glass, and the manufacturing style of accompanying silver mounts or fitted wooden boxes also narrow the period.