RARE 19th Century Antique English Oak Tantalus with Key, Made in England

Gorgeous RARE late 19th century English oak tantalus with original lock and key, gleaming brass hardware and beautiful cut crystal decanters in excellent antique condition. It looks great styled on a bar cart, in a library or study, a bar or wine cellar, and will show that you have exquisite taste wherever you put it.

Originally patented in 1881 by George Betjemann, a tantalus is a wood container for glass decanters, characterized by a lock and key. Designed to house two, three or sometimes four decanters to be secured inside it, visible but inaccessible when locked. In the locked position, decanters cannot be unstoppered or removed. The aim of this lock and key feature was to prevent unauthorized people from drinking the contents (particularly servants and younger sons getting at the whisky) while still allowing them to be on show.

The name tantalus came from the myth about Tantalus, son of Zeus, who stole ambrosia from the table of the Gods. As punishment for his crime, Tantalus was forced to stand in a pool of water under a fruit tree. Each time he tried to take a drink the water receded and each time he reached for fruit the branches moved away from him. This is where the word “tantalize” was derived from, meaning to torment or tease.

Betjemann tantaluses were retailed in prestigious outlets in England such as Asprey’s and Mappin & Webb. This particular tantalus was purchased at auction and while it is not marked, I do believe it to be Mappin & Webb, or a very similar representation.

This piece is being offered at a much lower price than what these sell for in very high end antiques stores.

DISCLAIMER: All pieces are in excellent antique condition with two of the stoppers having very minor flea bites to ends and the third stopper some rougher flea bites. One decanter has a very tiny nick/flea bite to the inside top edge but is hardly noticeable and there is some minor discoloration to the insides of the decanters which is to be expected with pieces of this age.

NOTE: To open the lock and access the decanters push the key inward slightly and turn to the right. The wood tray can then be slid forward and decanters can be removed. To lock the tantalus (with the tray and decanters in their original position) push the key inward slightly and turn it back to the left.