{"product_id":"english-victorian-antique-leather-liquor-tantalus","title":"MCM-043 English Victorian Antique Leather Liquor Tantalus with Crystal Decanters \u0026 Shot Glasses, 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eA captivating piece of Victorian decorative arts and social history — an \u003cstrong\u003eantique 19th-century English leather tantalus case\u003c\/strong\u003e, complete with its original dual crystal decanters and eight matching shot glasses. The tantalus was one of the defining objects of the Victorian and Edwardian household: a lockable spirit stand designed to display bottles tantalizingly in plain sight while keeping them secure from servants — its very name derived from Tantalus of Greek mythology, condemned to stand in water beneath fruit he could never reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is a beautifully composed piece of period craftsmanship. The rectangular hinged wooden box is veneered in rich brown leather with \u003cstrong\u003eArt Nouveau-style floral and scrolling designs\u003c\/strong\u003e pressed into the exterior — placing its decorative vocabulary squarely in the late 19th century, when the organic, sinuous forms of the emerging Art Nouveau movement were beginning to appear across the decorative arts. Dual opposing brass handles flank the case with characteristic Victorian elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hinged lid opens to reveal a \u003cstrong\u003esectioned leather-lined interior\u003c\/strong\u003e housing two crystal decanters with gilded stoppers and eight small shot glasses, each decorated with gilded floral and scrolling designs that echo the exterior ornament. The complete set — case, decanters, and glasses all present — is increasingly difficult to find intact after more than a century of use and dispersal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Victorian leather tantalus case with crystal decanters and shot glasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e England\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th Century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Art Nouveau floral and scrolling exterior decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wood with brown leather veneer, brass hardware, crystal glass, gilt decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 crystal decanters with gilded stoppers + 8 shot glasses with gilded floral designs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.5\" H × 8.5\" W × 7\" D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker's Mark:\u003c\/strong\u003e None apparent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFair to poor overall antique condition consistent with age — heavy surface wear throughout, leather veneer losses, and separation to the bottom of the case. Interior leather lining shows losses and heavy surface wear. Estate fresh to market. The crystal decanters and shot glasses are present and intact. This piece is sold as-is for collectors, decorators, or restorers who appreciate the inherent character of genuinely aged Victorian objects. The wear only deepens the sense of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #f5f0e8; border-left: 4px solid #c8a96e; padding: 16px 20px; margin-top: 24px; font-family: sans-serif;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color: #1a1a2e;\"\u003eContact Us for Pricing \u0026amp; Availability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #444; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eThis is a one-of-a-kind piece from our curated collection. Please use the \u003cstrong\u003ePrice Inquiry\u003c\/strong\u003e button above or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\" style=\"color: #c8a96e; font-weight: 600;\"\u003econtact us here\u003c\/a\u003e for current pricing and availability.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Spatial Art-Works","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54082422931740,"sku":"MCM-043","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/3877\/8396\/files\/MCM-043-English-Victorian-Antique-Leather-Liquor-Tantalus-01_watermarked.jpg?v=1780862537","url":"https:\/\/spatial-art-works.com\/products\/english-victorian-antique-leather-liquor-tantalus","provider":"Spatial Art-Works","version":"1.0","type":"link"}