Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Antique Victorian Three Bottle Tantalus & Games Compendium 19th Century

$2,574.28List Price

About the Item

This is a fabulous antique Victorian games compendium and tantalus, circa 1880 in date. It consists of three cut crystal liquor bottles with stoppers with a pair of port glasses, and a pair of sherry glasses in the underside of the lid, a gold plated pair of coasters, a gold plated tray all housed in a magnificent mahogany casket. There is a secret sprung drawer that pops out when you press the small brass button hidden behind the central decanter, it contains two packs of playing cards and a pair of dice and the markers for the cribbage board. Above the drawer there is a brass cribbage score board, with inlaid decoration on mahogany on the reverse. The fold down section is fitted with a useful gold plated serving tray above a drawer containing more playing cards. It is fitted with the original working high quality Bramah lock complete with key. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED MATERIALS. Condition: In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 37 cm x Width 41 cm x Depth 30 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot Tantalus is a type of liquor decanter in which the bottle stoppers are locked down tightly by a metal bar. This was to prevent the theft of the contents by servants. Like the name suggests, the decanters themselves are visible, drawing temptation while unattainable. A key is required for entry. The most common types of tantalus holds three bottles or decanters while there are also smaller types housing only two. There are many different forms of tantalus. Often the encasement has metal handles on both sides and ornately carved decor. Crystal and metal versions are also a beautiful option when choosing a tantalus. Tantalus derived its name from the story of the mythological Greek king, Tantalus, mortal son of Zeus and Pluto. To be tantalized is to be tempted with the unattainable, and the king was sorely tested. He was condemned to an eternity in Hades for angering the Gods and was forced to stand forever in water that, when he bent to drink, would recede and to gaze upon foods he could only reach for and never grasp. The 1800s saw our Victorian predecessors apply the King’s name to the lockable decanter. Bramah is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex. Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine. Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight. The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock and 70 years ahead of Yale. Original Bramah locks are most often found on the highest quality homes and furniture Mahogany is probably one of the largest ‘families’ of hardwood, having many different varieties within its own species. Mahogany has been used for centuries in ship building, house building, furniture making etc and is the core structure of just about every 19th century vanity box, dressing case or jewellery box. It became more of a Victorian trend to dress Mahogany with these decorative veneers, such as Rosewood, Kingwood, Burr Walnut and Coromandel, so that the actual Mahogany was almost hidden from view. Mahogany itself is a rich reddish brown wood that can range from being plain in appearance to something that is so vibrant, figured and almost three dimensional in effect. Although Mahogany was most often used in its solid form, it also provided some beautifully figured varieties of veneer like ‘Flame’ Mahogany and ‘Fiddleback’ Mahogany (named after its preferred use in the manufacture of fine musical instruments). Cuban Mahogany was so sought after, that by the late 1850′s, this particular variety became all but extinct. Our reference: A3874

Dimensions:
Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)Width: 16.15 in (41 cm)Depth: 11.82 in (30 cm)
Style:
Victorian (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Crystal,Gold Plate,Mahogany
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A38741stDibs: LU950642229202

You May Also Like

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak tantalus and games box

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak tantalus and games box

$1,502

H 12.6 in W 13.78 in D 10.63 in

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak tantalus and games box

Located in Ipswich, GB

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak tantalus and games box, having a quality oak tantalus with quality brass mounts and carrying handles to the sides, having a compartment with three square cut glass decanters with solid silver decanter tags...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Brass

Antique English Tantalus / Games Set

Antique English Tantalus / Games Set

$1,150 / set

H 13 in W 14.5 in D 10.5 in

Antique English Tantalus / Games Set

Located in Forney, TX

An elegant antique English Late Victorian / Edwardian Tantalus and Games set. Hand-crafted in England around the turn of the late 19th / early 20th century, ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Barware

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Antique English Brass Games Box Tantalus, circa 1860

Antique English Brass Games Box Tantalus, circa 1860

$3,400

H 13.75 in W 15 in D 10.75 in

Antique English Brass Games Box Tantalus, circa 1860

Located in New Orleans, LA

Wonderful tantalus games box with cards, shot glasses and dice.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Barware

Materials

Oak

19th Century Tantalus Whiskey Cellar

19th Century Tantalus Whiskey Cellar

$1,295

H 12.21 in W 14.57 in D 9.85 in

19th Century Tantalus Whiskey Cellar

Located in Brussels, Brussels

Lovely 19th century oak tantalus whisky cellar. Very beautiful and decorative light oak object composed of three crystal decanteners with their stoppers placed in a wooden lockable ...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Glass

Materials

Oak

Entertainment Humidor, Games Box and Drinks Compendium English Victorian

Entertainment Humidor, Games Box and Drinks Compendium English Victorian

$4,599

H 14.18 in W 16.15 in D 11.42 in

Entertainment Humidor, Games Box and Drinks Compendium English Victorian

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING The Compendium veneered in Rosewood with brass mounts, twin loop brass carry handles and extensive inlay to the front, sides and domed top. The Box features...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Drinks and Games Compendium with Silver Mounts in Amboyna

Antique Drinks and Games Compendium with Silver Mounts in Amboyna

$5,491

H 12.6 in W 14.18 in D 11.03 in

Antique Drinks and Games Compendium with Silver Mounts in Amboyna

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLD WIDE SHIPPING An antique drinks and games compendium veneered in striking Amboyna and fitted with sterling silver mounts, dating to the Edwardian period and hallmarked fo...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak decanter and games box

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak decanter and games box

$2,560

H 14.18 in W 15.75 in D 11.42 in

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak decanter and games box

Located in Ipswich, GB

Outstanding quality antique Victorian oak decanter and games box, having an outstanding quality oak case with ornate metal mounts and two carrying handles to the sides, having a lift...

Category

Antique 19th Century Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Oak

Antique English Silver Plate Mounted Oak & Crystal Games Box Tantalus Circa 1880

Antique English Silver Plate Mounted Oak & Crystal Games Box Tantalus Circa 1880

$3,500

H 13 in W 14.5 in D 11 in

Antique English Silver Plate Mounted Oak & Crystal Games Box Tantalus Circa 1880

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique English Silver Plate Mounted Oak & Crystal Games Box Tantalus, Circa 1880's.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Barware

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

19th Century French Napoleon III Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cordials

19th Century French Napoleon III Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cordials

$2,150

H 10 in W 13 in D 10 in

19th Century French Napoleon III Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cordials

Located in Dallas, TX

Create an elegant bar area with this exquisite antique cave à liqueur (Tantalus). Crafted in France circa 1870, this refined portable bar is built of ebonized mahogany with brass inl...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Barware

Materials

Bronze

French Victorian Oak Tantalus Set

French Victorian Oak Tantalus Set

$2,250

H 11 in W 13 in D 4 in

French Victorian Oak Tantalus Set

Located in Queens, NY

French Victorian oak tantalus set with iron handle and 2 cut crystal decanters with swirl design. (Only two bottles available)

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Barware

Materials

Crystal

More From This Seller

Antique 3 Decanter Golden Oak Tantalus Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Antique 3 Decanter Golden Oak Tantalus Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Antique 3 Decanter Golden Oak Tantalus Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian golden oak cased three decanter tantalus with decorative cut brass gothic revival mounts and brass carry handles to the sides, circa 1880 in date. ...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Silver

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

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

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

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian mahogany cased three decanter tantalus with decorative satin wood inlaid decoration and a secret games drawer, Circa 1890 in date. It was skillful...

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Tableware

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique Victoran Coromandel Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th Century

Antique Victoran Coromandel Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th Century

Antique Victoran Coromandel Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus & Games 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian coromandel, ormolu mounted and cased three decanter tantalus and games compendium, circa 1870 in date. It was skilfully crafted in rare coromandel with a satinwood interior and ormolu mounts. The three cut crystal glass decanters with stoppers, a mirrored back and compartmens containing four cut glass drinking glasses...

Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Antique Blonde Oak Tantalus 3 Decanter Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Antique Blonde Oak Tantalus 3 Decanter Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Antique Blonde Oak Tantalus 3 Decanter Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian golden oak cased three decanter tantalus with decorative silver plated cut brass gothic revival mounts and carry handles to the sides, circa 1880 i...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate, Brass

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

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

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

Located in London, GB

This is a superb quality antique Edwardian mahogany cased three decanter tantalus with decorative satin wood inlaid decoration and a secret games drawer, Circa 1890 in date. It was ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Barware

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique Pollard Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar Humidor 19th Century

Antique Pollard Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar Humidor 19th Century

Antique Pollard Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar Humidor 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A superb Victorian pollard oak combined humidor, tantalus and drinks cabinet Circa 1880 in date. The magnificent tantalus having a hinged lid fitted with a Bramah patent lock with k...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Silver

More Ways To Browse

Antique Liquor Bottles

Antique Water Stand

Gold Plated Tray

Antique Port Glasses

Antique Cribbage Board

Antique Decanter Bottle Stopper

Antique Games Compendium

Antique Hand Pump

Antique Crystal Plate Set

Crystal Bottles Liquors

Desk Compendium

Antique Crystal Liquor Bottles

View All Popular Desk Sets Searches