RARE 19th Century Antique English Oak Tantalus with Key, Made in England
RARE 19th Century Antique English Oak Tantalus with Key, Made in England
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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.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We have a 7-day return policy on NEW items, which means you have 7 days after receiving your item to request a return. You will be refunded in store credit to be spent at Shoplilliangrey.com within 6 months.
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To start a return, you can contact us at contact@shoplilliangrey.com. Please note that returns will need to be sent to the return address on the original shipping label.
If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at contact@shoplilliangrey.com.
Damages and issues
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Exceptions / non-returnable items
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This includes Vintage and Antique items. Each item has its own unique story, if you are not happy with the item then we hope we can continue your story with our company and find something that suits you better. That item is now yours, we can only refund you in store credit for Shoplilliangrey.com if the item was damaged in the shipping process. (Some items have endured some alterations to their original state and will be sold AS IS. Please take note of each item's description to see if the unique character is suitable to you.)
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.
Exchanges
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Refunds
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