Description

Veneered in Exotic Coromandel

From our Tantalus collection, we are delighted to offer this rare example of an Antique Coromandel Four Bottle Tantalus. The Tantalus beautifully veneered in exotic Coromandel with an elongated rectangular base, chamfered plinth and strong square housings. The base of the Tantalus is mounted to the corners with silvered pierced scrollwork brackets and is complimented by silvered top bracket with integral handle which pivots to lock and unlock the decanter bottles. The side of the top bracket is stamped Betjemann patent 38325, London and The Tantalus on the opposite side. The Bramah locking mechanism works by inserting the key and pressing the key into the lock as you turn it. Once it has turned clockwise 360 degrees it will pop back out allowing the user to push the full escutcheon disc down unlocking the handle. The four Decanters have a beautiful quilt cut body with waisted necks and faceted stoppers each with star cut bases. The rare four bottle Tantalus dates to the Victorian period (1837–1901) circa 1870 during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The Antique Coromandel Four Bottle Tantalus comes complete with a fully working Bramah lock and tasselled key.

Measurements (inches) 11.8 x 17.7 x 5.5

Tantalus, the origin traces back to the 19th century in England when a German born cabinetmaker George Betjemann patented the Tantalus model in 1881 (UK Patent 58948). Betjemann & Sons had workshops at 34–42 Pentonville Road, London from the 1830s specialising in high quality Boxes for various uses and Decanter sets including the Tantalus. 

The name ‘Tantalus’ is a reference to the unsatisfied temptations of the Greek mythological character Tantalus, son of Zeus. It is told that he was trapped in Tartarus, made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low hanging branches. The fruit would forever elude his grasp and the pool would recede before he was able to quench his thirst. The story is in reference to the lockable aspect of the Tantalus eluding anyone trying to access the decanters without the key.

Betjemann & Sons George Betjemann started as an apprentice cabinet maker from a young age working for his Father in Law. In 1848, his two sons George William Betjemann and John Betjemann joined him under apprenticeships until 1846 when George William Betjemann started his own business with his two sons. In 1859 George moved to a new premises on Pentonville road, London. This was when the business became known as ‘Betjemann & Sons’. John Betjemann was grandfather of the later famous poet laureate Sir John Betjemann.

Bramah is London’s oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Fitzrovia, London and Romford, Essex. Bramah manufactures Bramah and Rola locks for domestic and commercial applications in the U.K. and overseas. We are Marylebone and Fitzrovia’s foremost Locksmith and Burglar Alarm installer.

Coromandel is a valuable wood found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It has a contrasting hazel-brown colour with black grain. It is a dense, heavy wood that is so popular it has been logged to extinction over the last few hundred years. This makes Calamander pieces even more special.

Silver Plate refers to a method of applying a thin layer of silver to a base metal such as brass. Therefore it refers to an item which is not solid silver but plated to the outer coating.

Victorian, an era of British History corresponding approximately with the reign of Queen Victoria from the 20th of June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 however, there are arguments stating that the Victorian era is actually from 1820 until 1914 proceeded by Georgian era and followed by the Edwardian era.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information