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Rare Art Nouveau Miniature Sized Onyx Tantalus by Betjemann & Sons

About the Item

The Tantalus is of typical form however it is of rare miniature size measuring only 22cm high x 26cm wide. The Tantalus is made from white onyx with scrolling ormolu mounts and an ormolu hinged carry handle. The carry handle is beautifully engraved with scrollwork and blossoming flowers and engraved 'The Tantalus' to one side and 'Betjemann's Patent London' to the other. To the front a small retailer's ormolu plaque reads 'Alexander Clark, Fenchurch Street, London'. The Tantalus features a locking mechanism to one side that when opened allows the user to hinge the handle back to allow access to the hand cut hobnail decanter bottles with faceted stoppers. The Tantalus dates to the late 19th century during the Art Nouveau period circa 1890. Measurements (centimetres)
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