Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Antique Silver Mounted Burr Walnut 3 Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar 19th C

$3,409.02List Priceper set

About the Item

This is a superb antique Victorian sterling silver mouned, burr walnut cased three decanter tantalus, overlaid all over with sterling silver strap work and handles to each side, bearing hallmarks for the renowned silversmith Charles Boyton, London 1896. This magnificent tantalus features three wonderful hobnail cut square decanters with faceted ball stoppers and a mirrored back. The twin flap compartment in front revealing a delightful divisioned interior with three liquor glasses and a cut glass dish. There is a secret spring action drawer in the base, which can be opened by pressing the hidden push button in the centre. Used for storing games paraphernalia revealing playing cards, dice and a cribbage board with score markers. Complete with working Bramah lock and the original key. It is a truly decorative piece which is also very practical and would make a lovely gift. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 33.5 cm x Width 37 cm x Depth 29 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 1 inch x Width 1 foot, 3 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, Tantalus, mortal son of Zeus and Pluto. To be tantalized is to be tempted with the unattainable, and the king was sorely tested. He was condemned to an eternity in Hades for angering the Gods and was forced to stand forever in water that, when he bent to drink, would recede and to gaze upon foods he could only reach for and never grasp. The 1800s saw our Victorian predecessors apply the King’s name to the lockable decanter. Walnut Burr Walnut Walnut is a hard, dense, tight- grained wood that polishes to a very smooth finish. It is a popular and attractive wood whose colour ranges from near white in the sapwood to a dark hew in the heartwood. When dried in a kiln, walnut wood tends to develop a dull brown colour, but when air-dried can become a rich purplish-brown. Because of its colour, hardness and grain, it is a prized furniture and carving wood. Walnut veneer was highly priced and the cost would reflect the ‘fanciness’ of the veneer – the more decorative, then the more expensive and desirable. Burr walnut refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find. 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 and 70 years ahead of Yale. Original Bramah locks are most often found on the highest quality homes and furniture. Our reference: A3710

Dimensions:
Height: 13.19 in (33.5 cm)Width: 14.57 in (37 cm)Depth: 11.42 in (29 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 12
Materials and Techniques:
Crystal,Sterling Silver,Walnut
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1896
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A37101stDibs: LU950641077382

Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burr Walnut Decanter Box Betjemann

$9,538

Free Shipping

H 11.4 in W 15 in D 9.65 in

Fine 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Tantalus

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French bronze & glass tantalus set with (4) gold decorated glass decanters with (14) cordials glasses in fitted bronze insert set...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Tantalus

$12,500

H 15.5 in W 18.5 in D 13.5 in

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

By Napoléon III

Located in Cheltenham, GB

An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

$927 Sale Price

38% Off

H 3.94 in W 13.39 in D 10.63 in

19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope circa 1870. Fine quality english made victorian writing slope. Exterior of rich burr walnut with tunbridge ware inlay deco...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Empire Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope

$1,493

H 5 in W 12 in D 10.3 in

Large 19th C. Antique French Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Mounted Covered Box

By Baccarat

Located in New York, NY

A Very Large 19th Century Antique French Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Mounted Covered Box, Attributed to Baccarat. This incredible large crystal box is all hand-diamond cut and attri...

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Large 19th C. Antique French Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Mounted Covered Box

$14,950

H 5 in W 11.25 in D 6.25 in

19th Century Dore Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This antique crystal box is a true gem. The cut crystal is mesmerizing, due to its hand-chiseled facets that catch the light reflecting it in a t...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Dore Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Box

$2,300

H 4.5 in W 6 in D 4 in

Antique Victorian quality burr walnut and brass mounted glove box

Located in Ipswich, GB

Antique Victorian quality burr walnut and brass mounted glove box having a quality burr walnut glove box with original engraved mounts a dome shaped lid opening to reveal a storage c...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian quality burr walnut and brass mounted glove box

$484

H 2.37 in W 9.85 in D 3.55 in

Outstanding antique Victorian burr walnut and brass mounted jewellery box

Located in Ipswich, GB

Outstanding quality antique Victorian burr walnut and brass mounted jewellery box, having a quality burr walnut box with quality brass mounts, to the centre of the lid a beautiful co...

Category

Antique 19th Century Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Outstanding antique Victorian burr walnut and brass mounted jewellery box

$927

H 3.55 in W 11.03 in D 5.12 in

Antique 19th Century Victorian Silver Mounted Ram’s Head Snuff Mull c.1874

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 19th Century Victorian silver mounted ram’s head snuff mull, the head is fitted with a silver compartment for snuff, chased with thistles and centred by a facetted oval cryst...

Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

Antique 19th Century Victorian Silver Mounted Ram’s Head Snuff Mull c.1874

$10,765

Free Shipping

H 9.06 in W 16.54 in D 12.6 in

19th century Scandinavian burr elm teapoy

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century burr elm teapoy circa 1840. Very good quality example of a Scandinavian teapoy with a strong influence from the english regency period. Sarcophagus shaped main body wh...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Regency Tea Caddies

Materials

Elm

19th century Scandinavian burr elm teapoy

$2,249

H 32.3 in W 19.5 in D 14 in

More From This Seller

View All

Antique Pollard Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar Humidor 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A superb Victorian pollard oak combined humidor, tantalus and drinks cabinet Circa 1880 in date. The magnificent tantalus having a hinged lid fitted with a Bramah patent lock with k...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Silver

Antique Pollard Oak Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Dry Bar Humidor 19th Century

$3,749

Antique Blonde Oak Tantalus 3 Decanter Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Located in London, GB

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, circa 1880 i...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate, Brass

Antique Blonde Oak Tantalus 3 Decanter Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

$1,874

Antique 3 Decanter Golden Oak Tantalus Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian golden oak cased three decanter tantalus with decorative cut brass gothic revival mounts and brass carry handles to the sides, circa 1880 in date. ...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Silver

Antique 3 Decanter Golden Oak Tantalus Dry Bar Games Compendium 19th Century

$1,738

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Canterbury Magazine Rack 19th C

Located in London, GB

This is a gorgeous antique Victorian burr walnut and marquetry inlaid enclosed Canterbury circa 1870 in date. The grain of the burr walnut is truly beautiful. It features a hinged...

Category

Antique 1870s Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Canterbury Magazine Rack 19th C

$2,113

Antique Inlaid Walnut Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian walnut cased three decanter tantalus with decorative inlaid satinwood decoration, c1870 in date. It was skillfully crafted in walnut with beautifu...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Platters and Serveware

Materials

Walnut

Antique Inlaid Walnut Three Cut Crystal Decanter Tantalus C1870 19th Century

$1,329

Antique Victoran Coromandel Three Crystal Decanter Tantalus Games 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a superb antique Victorian coromandel, ormolu mounted and cased three decanter tantalus and games compendium, circa 1870 in date. It was skilfully crafted in rare coromandel with a satinwood interior and ormolu mounts. The three cut crystal glass decanters with stoppers, a mirrored back and compartmens containing four cut glass drinking glasses...

Category