Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

19th Century English Victorian Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus

$1,217.78List Priceper set

About the Item

This is a superb antique Victorian oak cased three decanter tantalus with decorative silver plated cut brass mounts, shield marked "Thornleys Special Prize" and carry handles to the sides, C1870 in date. It was skillfully crafted in tiger oak with beautiful brass mounts and stylish handles. There are three cut crystal glass decanters with stoppers, a mirrored back and two hinged compartments for playing cards. There is a secret base drawer with the original cribbage boards, brass score markers and playing cards of the same era, and it can be opened by pressing the silvered button which is just in front of the central decanter. It is a decorative piece which is also very practical, and would make a lovely gift. It is complete with working lock and a key that locks everything. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, the decanters with no chips or crack, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 33 x Width 38 x Depth 29 Dimensions in inches: Height 13.0 x Width 15.0 x Depth 11.4 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. Oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus - Latin "oak tree" having approximately 600 extant species. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak wood is very durable, easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear which is why it can be easily handed to the next generations if taken well care of. Oak wood virtually lasts forever and you can still admire oak furniture in museums and palaces even if it was made many centuries ago. Oak has been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior panelling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture. Our reference: 09118

Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 14.97 in (38 cm)Depth: 11.42 in (29 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Crystal,Oak,Silver Plate
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1870
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 091181stDibs: LU950612221643

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

19th Century English Oak and Cut Crystal Three-Bottle Tantalus

$1,260

H 13 in W 15 in D 6 in

19th Century English Oak and Cut Crystal Three-Bottle Tantalus

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A fine 19th century English tantalus, crafted in richly figured oak and fitted with three beautifully cut crystal decanters. The architectural wooden frame is constructed with shaped...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Barware

Materials

Crystal, Pewter

English Victorian Tantalus Set, Wood and Crystal, 19th Century, UK

$4,400

H 12 in W 14 in D 4 in

English Victorian Tantalus Set, Wood and Crystal, 19th Century, UK

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian wood and metal tantalus set with handle and 3 square shaped cut crystal decanters.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Barware

Materials

Crystal

Victorian Oak and Silver Metal Tantalus with Crystal Decanters

$1,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 12.5 in W 13.5 in D 5.25 in

Victorian Oak and Silver Metal Tantalus with Crystal Decanters

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Original antique Victorian oak and silver metal tantalus with three crystal decanters. Comes with key to lock in the liquor or wine decanters.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Crystal Serveware

Materials

Silver

Quality antique Victorian oak tantalus

$873

H 13 in W 13.78 in D 5.52 in

Quality antique Victorian oak tantalus

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique Victorian oak tantalus, having three quality cut glass decanters with the original stoppers, in an oak frame with silver plated mounts and a silver plated ornate shap...

Category

Antique 19th Century Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

Beautiful Antique English Oak Decanter Tantalus

$1,100 / set

H 13.75 in W 14.5 in D 5.5 in

Beautiful Antique English Oak Decanter Tantalus

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A very special three bottle crystal decanter tantalus executed with brass mounts on an oak platform. The latch mechanism functions as intended, and i...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Barware

Materials

Brass

Victorian Tantalus Decanter Set: Crystal, Oak & Brass Hardware

$1,200

H 12 in W 16 in D 6 in

Victorian Tantalus Decanter Set: Crystal, Oak & Brass Hardware

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a beautifully crafted tantalus, a traditional liquor decanter set designed to secure and display fine spirits. The set includes three crystal decanters, each with a faceted ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Barware

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Circa 1895 English Tantalus Decanter Set

$850 / set

H 12.25 in W 15.25 in D 5.25 in

Circa 1895 English Tantalus Decanter Set

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1895 tantalus decanter set, England. 3 decanters & key. Oak with nickle mounts & integral carrying handle; engraving shield never used. Engraved ends; serial number for mechani...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Glass

Materials

Nickel

Antique Oak Tantalus With 3-Art Glass Spirit Decanters C1920

$760Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.25 in W 16.5 in D 6.75 in

Antique Oak Tantalus With 3-Art Glass Spirit Decanters C1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique oak tantalus set featuring three finely crafted cut glass spirit decanters, dating to approximately C1920. This distinguished barware accessory combines functional securit...

Category

Early 20th Century Serving Pieces

Materials

Glass

19th Century Tantalus Whiskey Cellar

$1,292

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

More From This Seller

View All

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 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 Inlaid Walnut Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian walnut cased three decanter tantalus with decorative inlaid satinwood decoration, c1870 in date. It was skillfully crafted in walnut with beautifu...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Platters and Serveware

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian Coromandel Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian brass and Coromandel cased three decanter tantalus with engraved cut brass mounts, Circa 1870 in date. Skillfully crafted in Coromandel with a sty...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Tableware

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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 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