Antique English Victorian Betjemans Oak & Brass Tantalus & Humidor 19th Century

This is a stylish antique Victorian oak brass and cedar lined tabletop cigar humidor circa 1860 in date. The rectangular box features a lift out tray and adjustable divisions with sunken handles to the sides and a hinged lid with a central brass shield. Complete with the original Bramah lock and key. It would make a beautiful gift to any connoisseur of fine cigars. Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique items, the humidor shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 19.5 x Width 44 x Depth 29 Dimensions in inches: Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 11 inches Humidor is any kind of box or room with constant humidity that is used to store cigars, cigarettes, orpipe tobacco. For private use, small wooden or acrylic glass humidor boxes for a few dozen cigars are used, while cigar shops may have walk-in humidors. Humidors can be used to store other goods for which a certain level of humidity is desirable; the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team stores game balls in a large humidor at their home stadium, Coors Field, to counteract the effects of Denver's high altitude and generally low humidity. Humidors of all sizes use hygrometers to keep track of the humidity levels. Classification of humidors Walk-in humidor - most common in cigar bars or stores. One room is built as or converted to a humidor where all the cigars are stored. Cabinet humidor - usually placed on the floor as a piece of furniture. Typically holds 1000-5000 cigars. Table humidor - often quite heavy, though portable in theory, it's usually kept in one location. Capacity ranges from three hundred to a few thousand cigars. It usually comes with a polished wood exterior, marble, leather or combination of exotic elements, and glass top. Personal humidor - semi-regular cigar smokers will sometimes keep a small humidor in their homes for personal storage, special events, or aesthetic characteristics of the humidor itself . Usually contains 20-75 cigars. This may also be known as a "Desktop Humidor". Travel humidor - portable and made for carrying cigars enough for the outing or event, usually 2 to 10 cigars. 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. 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...

This is an exquisite antique French Napoleon III birdseye maple Tantalus Cave a Liqueur, circa 1860 in date. It features brass inlaid decoration on the top and front with tulip wood banding. The hinged lid and the hinged sides open to reveal a lift-out stand fitted with four liquor decanters and stoppers and sixteen glasses. Complete with original working lock and key, it is an absolutely superb set which is sure to attract a lot of attention. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition. Complete with 14 original glasses and 2 that have been added later. Dimensions in cm: Height 41 cm x Width 31 cm x Depth 23 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 4 inches x Width 1 foot x Depth 9 inches 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...

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, the decanter...

This is an exquisite antique French Napoleon III Bacarrat ormolu and glass Cave a Liqueur, or tantalus, circa 1860 in date. The Cave a Liqueur features an ormolu case with glass panels and an 'up and over' lid enclosing a gilt bronze frame containing sixteen small glasses and four decanters with stoppers, on all on finely cast paw feet. One decanter with a Bacarrat label to the underside The glasses and decanters are beautifully engraved with geometric decoration. As seen in the upcoming Ridley Scott historical film Napoleon. It is an absolutely superb set which is sure to attract a lot of attention. Condition: In really excellent condition with no damage, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 29 x width 37 x depth 30 Dimensions in inches: Height 11 inches x width 1 foot, 3 inches x depth 1 foot Baccarat In 1764 King Louis XV of France gave permission to found a glassworks in the town of Baccarat in the Lorraine region in eastern France to Prince Bishop Cardinal Louis-Joseph de Laval...

This is a high quality antique Victorian coromandel porcelain inset adjustable book slide, by Betjemann's, 19th century and circa 1870 in date. It is made of stunnning coromandel...

This is a lovely attractive antique Victorian silver plated tantalus with three cut glass decanters and stoppers, circa 1860 in date. The three cut glass decanters are of unusual in shape and feature superb facet cut linear decoration with facet cut stoppers. The silver plated decanter holder has a central stem with a loop handle and the three decanters sit in circular wells. It is raised on three pierced scrolled supports and has exquisite engraved decoration in the manner of Elkington. The craftsmanship is second to none and this beautiful tantalus is sure to add an elegant touch to your next dining experience. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 41 x width 27 x depth 27 Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 4 inches x width 11 inches x depth 11 inches 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...

Antique late-19th Century Victorian silver plated mounted on coromandel tantalus, the interior comprising three cut crystal decanters with stoppers...

A fabulous quality 19th Century three decanter Tantalus by “C.R.Christie, Edinburgh” having a coramandel shaped frame with silver plated corner brackets and a silver plated lock bar ...

Early 20th century English Tantalus. Solid oak travel caddy with two cut glass decanters and a key for safety.

Superb glass flower vase. Lovely quality engraving. Georgian style shape Good condition Engraved ownership inscription on the side " A.M. Orme "

An English Victorian period glass vanity bottle from the 19th century, with etched décor. Created in England during the Victorian era, this vanity bottle features a twisted stopper r...

Lovely quality antique Edwardian oak tantalus having three quality cut glass decanters with the original stoppers, in an oak frame with silver plated mounts and carrying handle to th...