Description

Rare Jacques Adnet Art Deco Chromium plated Tantalus with three cut glass decanters signed “Baccarat France” & mirror base. Each baccarat decanter has a ball shaped stopper.

This fabulous rare Jacque Adnet tantalus has a fully working lock and its original key with complimentary tassel.

Jacques Adnet 1900-1984 was a French art deco modernist designer, architect and interior designer.

Decanter dimensions:
Height: 7.5′
Width: 2.5′
Depth: 7.5′ inches

All our items come with authentication certificate with image, as well as our latest catalogue, how to look after your antique booklet, care instructions and separate invoice for insurance purposes. On top of this our items come with 14 day no quibble money back guarantee and are all fully insured for when shipping.

The Tantalus is named after Tantalos, a character from Greek Mythology who offended the Gods and was condemned to eternal hunger and thirst in the afterlife. He was imprisoned in a pool of water surrounded by fruit trees. When he reached out to drink the water or eat the fruit, the water drained away and the branches of the trees moved out of his reach! It is from Tantalos’s punishment that the word tantalise originates.

Tantalus is a decorative stand, case or box for glass or cut glass decanters. The first lockable Tantalus appeared around the mid 19th Century and was first seen in England around 1870. The decanted alcohol can only be accessed by unlocking and raising or lowering a handle or bar. The Tantalus was popular with owners of large, grand houses of this period to protect the decanted alcohol from being drunk by their butlers & other staff. Therefore the alcohol was kept just out of reach to tantalise – just as in the story of Tantalus!

Our varied selection of Tantalus & Decanters make excellent corporate gifts, aswell as for special occasions such as a retirement or wedding. They also make a great focal and talking point at a Dinner Party, or simply to look handsome in a Dining or Drawing Room!

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