Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

Antique French Bacarrat Ormolu with Glass Tantalus Cave a Liqueur 19th C

About the Item

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-Montmorency (1710-1802). Production consisted of window panes, mirrors and stemware until 1816 when the first crystal oven went into operation. By that time over 3000 workers were employed at the site. Baccarat received its first royal commission in 1823. This began a lengthy line of commissions for royalty and heads of state throughout the world. In 1855 Baccarat won its first gold medal, at the World's Fair in Paris. Baccarat first began marking its work with a registered mark in 1860. The mark was a label affixed to the bottom of the work. In the period 1846-1849 Baccarat signed some of their high quality glass millefiori paperweights with the letter B and the year date in a composite cane. A special paperweight dated 1853 was found under the cornerstone of a bomb damaged church in Baccarat when construction recommenced after World War II. The crystal production expanded its scope throughout this period, and Baccarat built a worldwide reputation for making fine stemware, chandeliers, barware, and perfume bottles. The Imperial Era ended in 1870 with the defeat of Napoléon III. Influences outside France began to have a stronger influence on Baccarat's work during this era, particularly imports from Japan. The world's largest chandelier and a staircase lined with a Baccarat crystal balustrade adorn the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. Strong growth continued in Asia for Baccarat. Baccarat has become quite famous at the royal houses. The queen of Portugal , for example, commissioned for her private collection decorative pieces and tableware (currently exhibited in the Ajuda National Palace ). One of the strongest production areas for Baccarat was perfume bottles, and by 1907 production was over 4000 bottles per day. In 1936 Baccarat began marking all of its works via acid or sandblasting. Baccarat created an American subsidiary in 1948 in New York City. They started to produce pieces based on Cylon designs, as the famous Cylon Carrier - Napoleon Hat piece (1958). The chairman of Baccarat from 1960 to 1992 was René de Chambrun, former Vichy France's Prime Minister Pierre Laval's son-in-law.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.42 in (29 cm)Width: 14.57 in (37 cm)Depth: 11.82 in (30 cm)
  • Style:
    Napoleon III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A22311stDibs: LU950625749932
More From This SellerView All
  • Antique French Napoleon III Tantalus Cave a Liqueur 19th Century
    Located in London, GB
    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...
    Category

    Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Glass

    Materials

    Glass

  • Antique Pair of French Ormolu & Glass Ewers, 19th Century
    Located in London, GB
    This is a truly superb decorative antique pair of ormolu glass ewers, circa 1870 in date. The hinged covers with cabouchon semi precious stone finials and scrolling mythical beast handles. The faceted baluster glass...
    Category

    Antique 1870s French Glass

    Materials

    Ormolu

  • Antique Pair Etched Glass Decanters and Stoppers 19th Century
    Located in London, GB
    A superb pair of antique etched glass globe decanters, circa 1870 in date. The fine glass has been beautifully etched with a fine leaf pattern. This lovely pair can serve decorativ...
    Category

    Antique 1870s English Glass

    Materials

    Glass

  • Vintage Pair of Cut Crystal Glass Liqueur Decanters Birmingham 1978 20th C
    Located in London, GB
    A superb pair of vintage sterling silver mounted hobnail-cut crystal square decanters and stoppers, with the makers mark of Moody & Archer and hallmark...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s English Glass

    Materials

    Crystal

  • Antique French Ormolu Tazza with Limoges Enamel Plaque, 19th Century
    Located in London, GB
    This is an impressive and highly decorative French ormolu tazza, mid-19th century in date. It features twin handles to either side and the centre is inset with a beautiful Limoges...
    Category

    Antique 1850s French Tableware

    Materials

    Ormolu

  • Antique French Ormolu Bevelled Glass Bijouterie Table Top Display Cabinet 19th C
    Located in London, GB
    This is an elegant antique French ormolu and bevelled glass table top bijouterie cabinet, circa 1880 in date. It is of Neo-Grec style and of rectangular form with hipped top and ...
    Category

    Antique 1880s French Jewelry Boxes

    Materials

    Ormolu

You May Also Like
  • 19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Cave a Liqueur or Tantalus
    Located in Fayetteville, AR
    This mid-19th century French Napoleon III period black lacquer cave a liqueur (liqueur caddy) or tantalus features bronze and tortoiseshell inlaid cartouches on the lid and doors. Ad...
    Category

    Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Barware

    Materials

    Crystal, Bronze

  • 19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Rounded Globe Style Tantalus Liquor Set
    Located in New York, NY
    An Unusual 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Globe Style Tantalus liquor set. The round globe top which rests on an elongated ormolu base is not common to find. The crystal top is m...
    Category

    Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desk Sets

    Materials

    Crystal, Ormolu

  • Antique Liqueur Set, Bohemian Ruby Red Enameled Glass, 19th Century
    Located in Rostock, MV
    Beautiful Liqueur Set, Decanter with 5 matching Glasses Bohemian Clear and Ruby Red Glass Richly Decorated all around with Gilded Enamel Scrolls and Gilding Highlights Bohe...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Glass

    Materials

    Blown Glass

  • Large 19th Century coramandel Tantalus
    Located in Martlesham, GB
    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 ...
    Category

    Antique 1860s British Victorian Glass

    Materials

    Cut Glass

  • French 19th Century Boulle Cave a Liqueur
    By Baccarat
    Located in Mérida, YU
    French 19th century Louis Philippe Boulle cave a liqueur. Made of Tortoiseshell, brass, and ebonized Fruitwood. Inlaid floral elements on a Tortoiseshell ...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Barware

    Materials

    Brass

  • 19th Century Napoleon III Crystal Liqueur Cabinet ‘Cave À Liqueur’
    Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
    A French "Cave à Liqueur" liqueur cabinet with antique crystal carafes and glasses. The cabinet contains four crystal carafes and ten glasses,...
    Category

    Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Barware

    Materials

    Crystal, Brass, Zinc

Recently Viewed

View All