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 270 For Sale and Sold ( 55 for sale 215 sold )
![3 Glass Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/3_glass_tantalus_as920a593s.jpg)
![Triangular Triple Decanter Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/insideout/Triangular_Triple_Decanter_Tantalus_as377a676s.jpg)
![Antique Victorian Quality Silver Plated Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londoncityantiques/Antique_Victorian_Quality_Silver_Plated_Tantalus_as1055a4298s-5.jpg)
![Lovely Quality Antique Edwardian Oak Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Lovely_quality_antique_Edwardian_oak_tantalus_as1144a2141s-3.jpg)
![Edwardian Oak Games Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/bridgendantiques/Edwardian_Oak_Games_Tantalus_as619a1125s.jpg)
![Small Antique Tantalus, English, Walnut, Decanters](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Small_Antique_Tantalus_English_Walnut_Decanters_as272a8201s.jpg)
![Edwardian Tantalus / Games Compendium Circa 1903](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Edwardian_Tantalusgames_compendium_circa_1903_as920a566s.jpg)
![Victorian Cut Glass Decanters & Original Stand](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Victorian_cut_glass_decanters__original_stand_as1144a2041s-2.jpg)
![Quality Antique Victorian Carved Oak Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/uniqueantiquesbyemmajade/Quality_antique_Victorian_carved_oak_tantalus_as1144a1994s-5.jpg)
![Edwardian Oak Tantalus.](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/bridgendantiques/Edwardian_Oak_Tantalus_as619a1110s.jpg)
![Three Decanters Tantalus, Circa 1900](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Three_decanters_tantalus_circa_1900_as920a564s.jpg)
![Vintage Locking Tantalus, English, Oak, Glass](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Locking_Tantalus_English_Oak_Glass_as272a7988s.jpg)
![Three Decanter Tantalus, Circa 1900](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Three_decanter_tantalus_circa_1900_as920a559s.jpg)
![Antique Decanter Service, English, Crystal Glass](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Antique_Decanter_Service_English_Crystal_Glass_as272a7929s.jpg)
![Tantalus With 3 Decanters, Circa 1920](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Tantalus_with_3_decanters_circa_1920_as920a540s.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)
![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)
![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)
![Hukin And Heath Double Spirit Tantalus C.1900](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/puckeringsantiques/Hukin_and_Heath_Double_Spirit__as584a3674s-4.jpg)
![Vintage Spirit Tantalus](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Spirit_Tantalus_Danish_as272a6039s.jpg)