A tantalus is a container for holding two or three glass or crystal bottles of alchoholic drinks. A tantalus may take various forms, the most common being made from silver, silver plate or wood with the three bottles in a circle or two bottles in line with a central handle. A larger version has three bottles in a line with two end supports and a horizontal top and handle. To prevent unauthorised access, some tantalus have a locking mecahnism that prevents the bottles and stoppers being removed from the bottles when secured. A box tantalus, as the name implies is an elaborate wooden box made of a fancy timber such as coramandel, with divisions for the bottles and a lockable lid. Some of these type are designed for liquers and include the liquer glasses set into fitted holders.

65 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Georgian fitted mahogany decanter box, of square form with twin…

Georgian fitted mahogany decanter box, of square form with twin brass carry handles to the sides, decorated with inlaid paterae to the hinged cover and front, opening to reveal nine gilded decanters and stoppers, 22.5 cm x 27.5 cm x 27.5 cm published:…

A decanter case in the form of a Stack of antique Leather-Bound…

A decanter case in the form of a Stack of antique Leather-Bound books, French, second half 20th century, for Baccarat, the case with gilt tooled leather exterior and hinged top enclosing a Baccarat crystal whisky decanter and an associated set of six…

A George III mahogany and brass fitted decanter box, English…

A George III mahogany and brass fitted decanter box, English circa 1800, 26 cm wide 33 cm high

A Georgian mahogany decanter box with sloped top, circa 1800,…

A Georgian mahogany decanter box with sloped top, circa 1800, 37 cm high, 24 cm wide, 29 cm deep

19th century French boulle decanter box, the hinged folding lid…

19th Century French Boulle Decanter Box with Pull-Out Drawers

19th century French boulle decanter box, the hinged folding lid revealing an adapted interior with 4 pull out drawers

A Napoleon III ebonised liquor box, late 19th century, the…

A Napoleon III ebonised liquor box, late 19th century, the rectangular ebonised box with hinged and folding top cover and two side doors, the front with brass stringing and mother-of-pearl beaded borders centering a finely inlaid lozenge cartouches with…

Leather bound wood cased liqueur tantalus book form case,…

Antique Liqueur Tantalus: Leather Bound Book Form Case

Leather bound wood cased liqueur tantalus book form case, opening to fitted interior, containing pair glass decanters, and matching set of 6 liqueur glasses, height 20 cm, width 19 cm.

A Georgian mahogany tantalus decanter box, circa 1900, 38 cm…

Georgian Mahogany Tantalus Decanter Box, c. 1900, 38x21x33cm

A Georgian mahogany tantalus decanter box, circa 1900, 38 cm high, 21 cm wide, 33 cm deep

William IV oak decanter box plain square form, no interior…

Plain Oak Decanter Box, William IV Era

William IV oak decanter box plain square form, no interior fittings (lid split to wood) 21.5 cm length

Fine 19th century cased tantalus, comprising a pair of…

Brazilian Rosewood Tantalus with Decanters

Fine 19th century cased tantalus, comprising a pair of decanters, set within a rectangular hinged Brazilian rosewood case, accented with brass strapping, with keys, height 29 cm

Late Georgian four decanter tantalus box, the rosewood box…

Georgian Rosewood Tantalus Box with Decanters and Glasses

Late Georgian four decanter tantalus box, the rosewood box inlaid with satinwood banding and acanthus motifs, with twin carry handles, opening to reveal lift out tray with four decanters and stoppers and eight liqueur glasses, 25 cm x 29 cm x 30 cm (case)

Boxed timber decanter and tumbler set velvet lined, having 4x…

Brass-Bound Timber Decanter Set with Steel Tray

Boxed timber decanter and tumbler set velvet lined, having 4x decanters and tumblers, plus steel tray. The brass bound box with campaign style handles.

A Napoleon III inlaid amboyna 'Cave a Liqueur', 19th century,…

Napoleon III Inlaid Liqueur Cabinet with Glassware

A Napoleon III inlaid amboyna 'Cave a Liqueur', 19th century, the hinged box with a cartouche inlaid to the top and front with brass and abalone shell enclosed by brass stringing and cross banded edges, four etched glass decanters and ten matching glasses…

Edwardian oak 2 division tantalus, with 2 square cut glass…

Oak Tantalus with Glass Decanters and S/P Mounts

Edwardian oak 2 division tantalus, with 2 square cut glass decanters and stoppers, the case with S/P handle and mounts

Rare and highest quality 19th century cocktail and liqueur…

Art Nouveau Cocktail & Liqueur Service in Citrine Crystal

Rare and highest quality 19th century cocktail and liqueur service of Art Nouveau design in citrine cut crystal with silver mounted decorations, original fitted display box, probably Austrian c.1890

A Victorian oak and silver plate tantalus, late 19th century,…

Victorian Oak and Silver Plate Tantalus with Cut Glass Decanters

A Victorian oak and silver plate tantalus, late 19th century, the oak case with Gothic strapwork and a barbell handle supporting three matching square section cut glass decanters, height 32 cm, length 40 cm, width 15.5 cm, bottle height 23 cm

An English Regency four bottle decanter box, coromandel with…

Regency Coromandel Decanter Box with Brass Trim

An English Regency four bottle decanter box, coromandel with brass trim, circa 1825, 28 cm high, 24 cm wide, 24 cm deep

A mahogany tantalus set, 19th century, the brass bound mahogany…

19th Century Mahogany Tantalus Set with Glasses and Bottles

A mahogany tantalus set, 19th century, the brass bound mahogany case opening a vibrant gilt-tooled red lined interior, fitted with five bottles and a lift out tray fitted with six liqueur glasses. The case 25 cm high, 30 cm wide, 21.5 cm deep

A George III Irish mahogany traveling decanter box, circa 1780,…

Irish Mahogany Traveling Decanter Box with Gilt Glass Decanters

A George III Irish mahogany traveling decanter box, circa 1780, with four square form gilt decorated glass decanters the interior lined with marble paper, 24 cm high, 21 cm wide, 21 cm deep

A ships decanter set of 4 decanters with stoppers and Pourer…

19th Century Ship Decanter Set in Rosewood Box

A ships decanter set of 4 decanters with stoppers and Pourer lips 19th century brass bound campaign style rosewood carrying box with recessed handles. With inscription A&L Moses, 26 the hard Portsea 21.5 x 21.5 x 21.5 cm

A Victorian mahogany tantalus box by Chapman Son & Co.…

Victorian Tantalus Box with Cut Crystal Decanters

A Victorian mahogany tantalus box by Chapman Son & Co. Comprising of four matching cut crystal decanters and a small cut crystal stemmed glass. The tantalus case with brass campaign handles on two sides and engraved monogram plaque to box lid. A/F, chips…

A superb French liqueur set, 19th century consisting of a lift…

19th Century French Liqueur Set with Cut Glass Decanters

A superb French liqueur set, 19th century consisting of a lift out platform with brass holders containing 4 cut glass decanters with stoppers and 16 liqueur glasses again, cut glass with decoration of grapes and leaves. The whole within a front lift up…

Victorian rosewood and brass inlaid decanter box, of serpentine…

Rosewood Decanter Box with Inlaid Brass

Victorian rosewood and brass inlaid decanter box, of serpentine outline, the folding hinged lid revealing an interior with four square cut decanters and a selection of small glasses

A Georgian six bottle decanter set in inlaid mahogany case,…

Georgian Decanter Set in Mahogany Case with Key

A Georgian six bottle decanter set in inlaid mahogany case, circa 1800, with original key and lock, the case 22 cm high, 27 cm wide, 27 cm deep

A Fratelli Peroni Firenze leather book whiskey box crystal…

Peroni Whiskey Set in Leather Book Box

A Fratelli Peroni Firenze leather book whiskey box crystal decanter set, leather bound books with gold embossed detail, the top two opening to reveal the crystal decanter & four matching glasses, with lock & key. Provenance: The contents of a Vaucluse…

Cave a liqueur with glasses and decanters fine example of a…

Elegant Liqueur Cave with Crystal Glasses and Decanters

Cave a liqueur with glasses and decanters fine example of a cave a liqueur in ebonised wood with gilt banding and inserts notably to the lock. The interior beautifully fitted with a mahogany finish with racks containing 15 cut crystal sherry glasses and…

Rosewood Victorian cave a Liquer case veneered nicely in dark…

Rosewood Liquor Case with Brass Details and Walnut Interior

Rosewood Victorian cave a Liquer case veneered nicely in dark rosewood, and with brass banding and lock. The interior fitted by walnut with compartments for decanters and shelves to the door for glassware. Height 30.5 cm width 33 cm depth 20 cm

An Edwardian oak three-bottle tantalus, the square section…

Edwardian Oak Tantalus with Crystal Bottles and Accessories

An Edwardian oak three-bottle tantalus, the square section crystal bottles with cushion-cut engraving, ball stoppers, some chips, held in a case with small green glasses and a concealed drawer with playing cards and cribbage board, width 34 cm

A Victorian tantalus, fitted with three crystal decanters of…

Victorian Oak Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cribbage Game

A Victorian tantalus, fitted with three crystal decanters of square block pattern, two doors opening on compartments with three port glasses, and a drawer opening on a cribbage game, in an oak case. The case metal mounted, marked 'Levfa' on lock, with key…

An Italian decanter box, fitted with four bottles heightened in…

Italian Decanter Box with Gilt Bottles and Traveler Box (A/F)

An Italian decanter box, fitted with four bottles heightened in gilt, in original traveller box. A/F, one bottle quite damaged.

An Edwardian oak and silver plate two crystal bottle tantalus,…

Edwardian Oak and Silver Tantalus with Crystal Bottles

An Edwardian oak and silver plate two crystal bottle tantalus, one bottle with crack, the frame with overhead push-button release swing handle, quality oak case. Length 29 cm.

A French inlaid walnut and Thuja liqueur tantalus box, Second…

French inlaid walnut liqueur box with mother-of-pearl embellishments

A French inlaid walnut and Thuja liqueur tantalus box, Second half 19th century, rectangular with a serpentine front, having brass edging, delicate mother-of-pearl floral inlay, meandering brass stringing and contrasting timbers, a shaped brass cartouche…

Vintage etched amber glass liqueur set with antique bentwood…

Etched Amber Glass Liqueur Set with Bentwood Box

Vintage etched amber glass liqueur set with antique bentwood lidded box

Edwardian oak Petit tantalus set with three liquer bottles and…

Edwardian Oak Tantalus Set with 3 Liquer Bottles

Edwardian oak Petit tantalus set with three liquer bottles and stoppers, within oak case, with strap work, with lock and key, a/f, length 20 cm

A Continental cave à liqueur, the fruitwood framed case with…

Continental Liqueur Set with Decanters and Glasses

A Continental cave à liqueur, the fruitwood framed case with bevelled glazed panels and hinged lid enclosing a set of four decanters and sixteen liqueur glasses, the glasses stand on a tray fitted above the shoulders of the decanters. 42 x 32 x 24 cm

Edwardian brass handle oak tantalus, fitted with 2 crystal…

Antique Oak Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Glasses

Edwardian brass handle oak tantalus, fitted with 2 crystal decanters, & 4 crystal glasses (1 missing). Lidded box and 2 drawers below. Engraved dedication dated 1894.

George III mahogany decanter box the hinged dome lid with large…

Mahogany Decanter Box with Six Square Cut Glass Decanters

George III mahogany decanter box the hinged dome lid with large oval inlaid shell paterae, opening to reveal a set of six original gilt decorated square cut glass decanters and stoppers, the lid with two later crystal wine glasses

A George III mahogany cutlery box, with sloping hinged cover,…

Converted George III Mahogany Decanter Box

A George III mahogany cutlery box, with sloping hinged cover, converted to decanter box, 38 cm high, 24 cm wide, 29 cm deep

A Regency brass mounted coromandel four decanter tantalus box,…

Regency Coromandel Tantalus Box with Brass Mounts & Decanters

A Regency brass mounted coromandel four decanter tantalus box, with recessed carried handles, 27 cm high, 24 cm square. Provenance: Mossgreen November 2010, Lot 1916

Tantalus, beautifully Presented in oak case: Brandy, Gin,…

Oak-cased Tantalus: Brandy, Gin, Whiskey Trio

Tantalus, beautifully Presented in oak case: Brandy, Gin, Whiskey

A Tasmanian musk and fiddleback blackwood decanter box, 19th…

Tasmanian Musk & Blackwood Decanter Box, 19th Century

A Tasmanian musk and fiddleback blackwood decanter box, 19th century, 21.5 cm high, 10 cm wide, 10 cm deep

Victorian single decanter tantalus, in oak case with metal…

Victorian oak tantalus with metal fittings

Victorian single decanter tantalus, in oak case with metal fittings and key, 34 cm high

A Victorian amboyna wood small rectangular tantalus box,…

Victorian Amboyna Wood Tantalus Box with Glass Bottles

A Victorian amboyna wood small rectangular tantalus box, ebonised banding and satinwood stringing, decorative brass inlay, the hinged lid enclosing two small facet cut glass bottles with original stoppers.

A very fine and rare French 19th century Napoleon III…

French Napoleon III Decanter Set with Ormolu Grape Frame

A very fine and rare French 19th century Napoleon III cordial/liqueur decanter set C. 1885, comprising four matching cut crystal decanters with sixteen glasses. The glasses held in two ormolu gilt grape vine side frames. The tantalus case finely engraved…

Antique French Napoleon III liquor box with glasses & decanters,…

Napoleon III Liquor Box with Glasses & Decanters

Antique French Napoleon III liquor box with glasses & decanters, approx 27 cm high, 33 cm wide, 24 cm deep

A Regency coromandel wood decanter box with brass mounts,…

Regency Coromandel Wood Decanter Box with Brass Mounts

A Regency coromandel wood decanter box with brass mounts, English 19th century, 23 cm high, 21 cm wide, 21 cm deep

Antique 19th century French liqueur set box, approx 24 cm high,…

19th Century French Liqueur Set Box

Antique 19th century French liqueur set box, approx 24 cm high, 30 cm wide, 22 cm deep

A cedar decanter box with lozenge top and external dovetail…

19th Century Cedar Decanter Box with Lock and Compartments

A cedar decanter box with lozenge top and external dovetail joinery and double lock, fitted with 6 bottle compartments, mid 19th century, 33 cm high, 28 cm wide, 23 cm deep

A late Victorian two bottle tantalus in an oak case

Victorian Oak Two-Bottle Tantalus

A late Victorian two bottle tantalus in an oak case

A sterling silver and crystal tantalus, with wine labels,…

Crystal Tantalus with Silver Mounts and Wine Labels

A sterling silver and crystal tantalus, with wine labels, 2003/4 Sheffield, with Tudor rose town mark and maker's mark for Whitehill Silver & Plate Co; and wine labels 1979 London, with maker's marks for Richards & Knight, three elegant square section…

Regency mahogany decanter box the hinged bombe lid revealing…

Mahogany Decanter Box with Four Glass Decanters

Regency mahogany decanter box the hinged bombe lid revealing four glass decanters, matching stoppers

Antique 19th century French liquor set box, approx 24 cm high,…

19th Century French Liquor Set Box (10 words)

Antique 19th century French liquor set box, approx 24 cm high, 30 cm wide, 22 cm deep

An antique liqueur set rosewood box with sting inlay, includes…

19th Century Rosewood Liqueur Set with Decanters and Glasses

An antique liqueur set rosewood box with sting inlay, includes 4 decanters & 12 glasses, 19th century. 23 cm high, 30 cm wide, 31 cm deep

An Edwardian oak tantalus, comprising three cut crystal…

Oak Tantalus with Three Crystal Decanters

An Edwardian oak tantalus, comprising three cut crystal decanters with faceted stoppers enclosed within an open rectangular oak case with shaped ends. 33 cm high.

Antique leather book form lacquer box, fitted with a pair of…

Antique Lacquer Book Box with Decanters and Glasses

Antique leather book form lacquer box, fitted with a pair of decanters and four shot glasses, approx 12 cm high, 21 cm wide, 14 cm deep

Vintage oak case 3 decanter tantalus, 40 cm wide

Vintage Oak Tantalus with 3 Decanters - 40cm Wide

Vintage oak case 3 decanter tantalus, 40 cm wide

An Edwardian Sheraton Revival oak inlaid tantalus/games box,…

Inlaid Oak Tantalus with Games and Decanters

An Edwardian Sheraton Revival oak inlaid tantalus/games box, the upstand back supporting the three half cushion cut square section decanters with knopped ball stoppers, the lower front section with a key lock releasing the double flap concealing four…

Antique French Liquor box, with key

French Antique Liquor Box with Key

Antique French Liquor box, with key

Painted pine lidded box with approx 100 liqueur glasses, box 22…

Pine Box with 100 Liqueur Glasses

Painted pine lidded box with approx 100 liqueur glasses, box 22 cm high, 60 cm wide, 32 cm deep

Antique 3 decanter tantalus with cross banded inlay case…

Antique 3 Decanter Tantalus with Inlay Case & Glasses

Antique 3 decanter tantalus with cross banded inlay case containing 3 glasses, 35 cm wide, 31.5 cm high (closed)

Antique oak case 3 decanter tantalus 38 cm wide, 34 cm high

Antique Oak Tantalus with 3 Decanters

Antique oak case 3 decanter tantalus 38 cm wide, 34 cm high

French liqueur box in the form of two books, approx 12 cm high,…

Book-Shaped French Liqueur Box

French liqueur box in the form of two books, approx 12 cm high, 17 cm wide, 11 cm deep

Antique oak cased 2 decanter tantalus, with lift mirrored lid…

Antique Oak Tantalus with Mechanical Drawer

Antique oak cased 2 decanter tantalus, with lift mirrored lid and fall front (with drawer) that activates a mechanical internal drawer, the outside of the case is fitted with handles to sides, ornate metal corners and shield to lid, 36.5 cm wide, 35 cm…

A French kingwood and parquetry inlaid tantalus box, the hinged…

French Inlaid Tantalus Box with Etched Decanters and Glasses

A French kingwood and parquetry inlaid tantalus box, the hinged top enclosing etched decanters and stoppers and glasses. 26 cm high.

A Victorian three bottle tantalus decanter set the carved…

Victorian Oak Tantalus Decanter Set

A Victorian three bottle tantalus decanter set the carved quarter sawn oak case with folding box front and ornate nickel stops and handles. Hobnail cut square decanters with facet ball stoppers. in good order with key. Length 37 cm