19th Century Sheraton Revival Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus

This is a superb antique Victorian coromandel, brass mounted and cased three decanter tantalus and games compendium, Circa 1880 in date. It was skillfully crafted in rare coromandel with cut brass mounts, three cut crystal glass decanters with stoppers, a mirrored back and a twin lidded compartment with a Bramah lock, opening to reveal a compartment containing five glasses. There is a secret base drawer with playing cards, cribbage board, dice and chips. It can be opened by pressing the disguised brass 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 the original working Bramah lock and key, which locks everything. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 33 cm x Width 38 cm x Depth 11 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 1 inch x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 4 inches Coromandel wood or Calamander wood is a valuable wood from India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It is of a hazel-brown color, with black stripes (or the other way about), very heavy and hard. It is also known as Macassar Ebony or variegated ebony and is closely related to genuine ebony, but is obtained from different species in the same genus; one of these is Diospyros quaesita Thwaites, from Sri Lanka. The name Calamander comes from the local sinhalese name, 'kalu-medhiriya', which means dark chamber; referring to the characteristic ebony black wood. Coromandel wood has been logged to extinction over the last 2 to 3 hundred years and is no longer available for new work in any quantity. Furniture in coromandel is so expensive and so well looked after that even recycling it is an unlikely source. A substitute, Macassar Ebony, has similar characteristics and to the untrained eye is nearly the same but it lacks the depth of colour seen in genuine Coromandel. 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...

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...

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 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 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...

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 ...

Pair of 19th century silver and crystal decanters French, late 19th century Measures: Height 22cm, diameter 8cm This fine pair of decanters is by Tétard Frères silversmiths, and...

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

Sheraton Revival Mahogany Decanter Box, With Four Atlantis Decanters & Decorative Inlay The hinged lid with paterae and line inlaid decoration, the ...

A scarce set of three fine quality Bohemian enameled cobalt art glass decanters, exquisitely made for the Persian market, during the late 19th century. ...

Handblown double gourd shape glass bottle or decanter.