Standing Drinks Cabinet
A standing drinks cabinet serves spirits and glassware with architectural presence, spanning compact tantalus boxes to cocktail units on raised stands.
Standing Drinks Cabinet
A standing drinks cabinet brings together a range of historic forms designed specifically for the storage and dispensing of alcohol, from Georgian cellarettes and wine coolers to 1920s burr walnut cocktail units and Edwardian tantalus sets.
Buyers encounter pieces spanning several centuries, with 1920 and 1930 Art Deco cocktail cabinets appearing alongside 18th century and Georgian mahogany cellarettes, plus cabinets on stands from the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
The layout typically involves dedicated internal fittings, drop-down serving surfaces, or secure bottle frames, housed within upright wooden carcases supported by cabriole legs, pedestals, or distinct stands.
Judging quality and execution
Quality rests upon the selection of timber veneers and the precision of the joinery, where matched burr walnut figures and tightly fitted doors distinguish superior workshops from standard production.
The sophistication of internal fittings, such as illuminated compartments, original mirror glass, and bespoke bottle retention systems, elevates the standing drinks cabinet from simple storage to high craftsmanship.
Listings feature periods from the 18th Century through to the 1930s, utilising oak, mahogany, walnut, and lacquer.
Denby and Spinks·Maurice Jallot·Hille·Gillows
The Standing Drinks Cabinet Glossary
- Cellarette
- A lockable container or cabinet designed for holding bottles of wine or spirits, frequently found in Georgian dining rooms. These containers often sat on the floor or on dedicated stands.
- Tantalus
- A locking beverage stand that holds decanters securely in a wooden frame to prevent unauthorized access while displaying the contents. The mechanism requires the unlocking of a top bar before any bottle can be removed.
- Veneer
- A thin layer of figured wood applied to a secondary timber carcase to create decorative exterior patterns. Burr walnut and figured mahogany represent common examples seen in these cabinets.
- Cabinet on stand
- An elevated storage compartment supported by a separate frame or legs, lifting the main body off the floor. This form dates back to earlier periods like William and Mary and resurfaced in later revival styles.
Standing Drinks Cabinet: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standing drinks cabinet?
A standing drinks cabinet is an upright piece of furniture built to store bottles, decanters, and glassware. These pieces range from Georgian wine coolers to fitted Art Deco cocktail cabinets.
They usually feature dedicated interior spaces for serving drinks, sometimes incorporating drop leaves, mirrored backs, or locking mechanisms.
How do I use a tantalus?
A tantalus secures glass decanters within a wooden frame by means of a metal locking bar that traps the stoppers. Unlocking the mechanism with a key allows the decanters to be lifted free.
These devices kept expensive spirits safe from domestic staff while displaying the bottles on sideboards or tables.
Are cellarettes and wine coolers the same?
Cellarettes and wine coolers both functioned to hold bottles near the dining table during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many were lined to hold ice or water for chilling.
Over time, the terms became interchangeable, though traditional cellarettes often sat low on the floor or inside furniture carcases.