Tantalus Decanter
A tantalus decanter is a small wooden open cabinet/case/box or metal frame used to store and secure 2, 3 or even 4 decanters.It appeared in the Mid 19th century and it's defining features were that they were open (for all to see) but had a lock and key. It was not possible to retrieve the decanter or indeed remove it's stopper. This was to stop unauthorised people from drinking the contents. It is believed Mr. John Betjemann patented a design for a wooden tantalus in 1881. The small compartment you see on some would have enclosed playing cards or counters.
Found 267 For Sale and Sold ( 67 for sale 200 sold )
![19th Century Bronze Of Niobe](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/harringtonantiques/19th_Century_Bronze_Of_Niobe_as1132a660s.jpg)
![Tantalus Three Decanter’s & Games In Oak Case](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sovereignantiques/Tantalus_three_decanters__Games_in_oak_case_as1076a894s.jpg)
![19th C French Colonial Glass Cave à Liqueur](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/anthonyshortantiques/19th_C_French_Colonial_Glass_Cave__Liqueur_as1085a507s.jpg)
![Antique Quality Oak Tantalus By Mappin & Webb](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londoncityantiques/Antique_Quality_Oak_Tantalus_by_Mappin__Webb_as1055a3595s-5.jpg)
![Betjemanns Patent Locking Spirit / Whisky Decanter](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/puckeringsantiques/Betjemanns_Patent_Locking_Spirit__Whisky_Decanter_as584a3938s.jpg)
![Quality Antique Edwardian Mahogany Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Quality_antique_Edwardian_mahogany_tantalus_as1144a1696s-1.jpg)
![Edwardian 1908 Oak And Silver Plated Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/pauldoranantiques/Edwardian_1908_Oak_and_Silver_Plated_Tantalus_as1084a385s.jpg)
![Lovely Quality Antique Edwardian Oak Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Lovely_quality_antique_Edwardian_oak_tantalus_as1144a1620s.jpg)
![Large 19th Century Coramandel Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/martleshamantiques/Large_19th_Century_coramandel__as256a3146s.jpg)
![Lovely Edwardian Three Decanter Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/dorkingdeskshop/Lovely_Edwardian_three_decante_as513a1047s.jpg)
![Black Forest “Cave De Liqueur”](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/elmgarden/Black_Forest_Cave_de_Liqueur_as284a9790s.jpg)
![Triple Decanter Tantalus, Circa 1880](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Triple_decanter_tantalus_circa_as920a466s.jpg)
![Fantastic Victorian Cut Glass Decanters & Stand](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Fantastic_Victorian_cut_glass__as1144a1231s.jpg)
![French Serpentine Cave A Liqueur Or Tantalus Box](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/lovedayantiques/French_Serpentine_Cave_A_Lique_as501a1003s-6.jpg)
![Victorian Oak 2 Bottle Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sturmansantiques/Victorian_Oak_2_Bottle_Tantalu_as521a4079s.jpg)
![Late Victorian Polished Oak Three Bottle Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sturmansantiques/Late_Victorian_Polished_Oak_Th_as521a4012s.jpg)
![Circa 1890 Three Bottle Oak Games Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/buchananandlaing/Circa_1890_Three_Bottle_Oak_Ga_as1167a225s.jpg)
![Super Three Bottle Silver Plate Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/fernyhoughantiques/Super_Three_Bottle_Silver_Plat_as122a4112s.jpg)
![Tantalus Three Decanter’s In Oak Case](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sovereignantiques/Tantalus_three_decanters_in_oa_as1076a473s.jpg)
![Super Oak Three Bottle Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/fernyhoughantiques/Super_Oak_Three_Bottle_Tantalu_as122a4096s.jpg)
![Rare Antique Tantalus - Greyhound / Dog Handle](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/puckeringsantiques/Rare_Antique_Tantalus__Greyhou_as584a3676s.jpg)
![Hukin And Heath Double Spirit Tantalus C.1900](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/puckeringsantiques/Hukin_and_Heath_Double_Spirit__as584a3674s-4.jpg)
![A Good Quality Oak ‘Betjemann’s’ Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/dorkingdeskshop/A_good_quality_oak_Betjemanns__as513a955s.jpg)
![A Very Unusual Plated Three Decanter Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/dorkingdeskshop/A_very_unusual_plated_three_de_as513a953s.jpg)
![A Wonderful Brass Betjemanns 3 Decanter Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/dorkingdeskshop/A_wonderful_brass_Betjemanns_3_as513a950s.jpg)
![Vintage Spirit Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Spirit_Tantalus_Danish_as272a6039s.jpg)
![3 Bottle Tantalus Circa 1900](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/3_bottle_tantalus_circa_1900_as920a370s.jpg)
![19th Century 3 Bottle Silver Plate Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/buchananandlaing/19th_Century_3_Bottle_Silver_P_as1167a077s.jpg)