Brass Mounted Drinks Cabinet
A brass mounted drinks cabinet brings period craftsmanship into the modern home, offering both generous storage and striking focal points for entertaining.
Brass Mounted Drinks Cabinet
A brass mounted drinks cabinet encompasses a wide range of forms from the eighteenth century onwards, including dedicated cocktail cabinets, cellarettes, and tantalus sets. These pieces combine functional storage for bottles and glassware with decorative mounts in brass that accentuate their structural lines.
The selection on this page spans several distinct eras, stretching from Georgian cellarettes in figured mahogany through Victorian oak tantalus sets to burr walnut and lacquered cocktail cabinets of the early twentieth century. Buyers will encounter both traditional side cabinets adapted for hospitality and purpose-built revival pieces.
Originating in domestic spaces where entertaining was central to social life, these cabinets showcase the evolving tastes of historical periods from Queen Anne revivals to Chinoiserie and French Empire styles. Each piece reflects the specific social rituals of its era, whether holding decanters of wine or modern cocktail apparatus.
Distinguishing quality
Quality in these pieces rests upon the selection of timber veneers, such as burr walnut or figured mahogany, and the crispness of the brass mounts and handles. Superior examples maintain original interior fittings, mirrored backs, and operational locks rather than replaced components.
The refinement of the cabinetmaking is evident in the stability of the doors, the precision of the joinery, and the depth of the lacquer or polish. Pieces that retain their original glass panels, decanters, or compartmentalised interiors command greater interest from collectors.
Object forms range from Georgian cellarettes and Victorian tantalus sets to 1930s cocktail cabinets and decanter boxes.
Harrods
The Brass Mounted Drinks Cabinet Glossary
- Cellarette
- A lockable container designed to hold bottles of wine or spirits, typically positioned beneath a sideboard or freestanding during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
- Tantalus
- A wooden stand holding decanters securely behind a locking metal bar, designed originally to prevent servants from sampling the master's spirits.
- Cocktail cabinet
- A specialised piece for mixing drinks, popularised in the early twentieth century, featuring mirrored interiors, pull-out mixing slides, and glass storage.
- Chinoiserie
- European decorative style imitating Chinese artistic traditions, frequently seen on lacquered cabinets with raised motifs and gilt detailing.
- Coromandel
- A dense, heavily variegated timber imported from Asia, prized for its dark brown colour and contrasting pale yellow streaks in nineteenth-century decorative boxes.
Brass Mounted Drinks Cabinet: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brass mounted drinks cabinet used for?
These cabinets serve as dedicated storage for bottles, glassware, and barware, combining functional utility with decorative presence in reception rooms. Historically designed for wine or spirits, modern owners frequently utilise them as home cocktail bars.
Their enclosed shelving and compartmentalised interiors protect fragile glassware while keeping entertaining accessories organised and readily accessible.
How do I identify the period of a drinks cabinet?
Dating relies on examining the timber species, structural hardware, and prevailing decorative style, such as Georgian mahogany or 1920s burr walnut. Construction methods, including drawer dovetailing and the style of the brass mounts, offer further clues to the era of manufacture.
Comparing the silhouette against known revival styles like Queen Anne or Jacobean helps distinguish eighteenth-century originals from twentieth-century interpretations.
How do I care for a lacquered cabinet?
Lacquered surfaces require gentle dusting with a soft, dry cloth and protection from direct sunlight to prevent fading or surface cracking. Avoid chemical polishes and excessive moisture, which can damage historic finishes.
Maintaining a stable room temperature helps preserve both the timber substrate and the delicate lacquer or brass mounts over time.
What is the difference between a cellarette and a tantalus?
A cellarette is typically a substantial timber box or low cabinet designed to hold multiple wine bottles securely, often featuring fitted interior dividers. In contrast, a tantalus is an open or framed rack holding decanters locked beneath a metal bar to restrict access.
Cellarettes date predominantly from the Georgian and Victorian eras, whereas tantalus sets gained widespread popularity during the late nineteenth and Edwardian periods.