What is an antique tantalus?
A tantalus 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.
What is a tantalus used for?
A Tantalus is a small wooden cabinet containing two or three decanters. Its defining feature is that it has a lock and key. The aim of that is to stop unauthorised people drinking the contents (in particular, “servants and younger sons getting at the whisky”), while still allowing them to be on show.
What do you keep in a tantalus?
A tantalus might hold one decanter, two, three, or more. They might have an open framework, or be a closed box. Some were full-sized pieces of furniture. The lock might be placed in the bar over the top of the decanters, or in the rail at the front.
When was the Tantalus invented?
1881
Originally patented in 1881 by George Betjemann, a tantalus is a wooden container for glass decanters, characterised by a lock and key.
How do you unlock Tantalus?
Operating the lock and key: You have to push key into the barrel of the lock and whilst keeping the key pushed in to the sprung barrel turn the key anti clockwise will unlock the Tantalus, then push down on the barrel allowing you to pull the handle either towards or away from you to remove the decanters, if its …
What drinks do you put in a Tantalus?
The tantalus bottles held liquor, a distilled alcoholic drink like scotch. And it should be easy to remember that a cave a liqueur held — what you would expect — liqueur, an after-dinner fermented sweet drink like brandy, flavored with fruit or spices.
What is Tantalus the god of?
Tantalus is a figure from Greek mythology who was the rich but wicked king of Sipylus. For attempting to serve his own son at a feast with the gods, he was punished by Zeus to forever go thirsty and hungry in Hades despite being stood in a pool of water and almost within reach of a fruit tree.
Why did God punish Tantalus?
What does it mean to call someone a Tantalus?
Definition of Tantalus 1 : a legendary king of Lydia condemned to stand up to the chin in a pool of water in Hades and beneath fruit-laden boughs only to have the water or fruit recede at each attempt to drink or eat. 2 not capitalized : a locked cellarette with contents visible but not obtainable without a key.
Is Tantalus a God?
Tantalus, Greek Tantalos, in Greek legend, son of Zeus or Tmolus (a ruler of Lydia) and the nymph or Titaness Pluto (Plouto) and the father of Niobe and Pelops. He was the king of Sipylus in Lydia (or of Phrygia) and was the intimate friend of the gods, to whose table he was admitted.
How does a Tantalus lock work?
The basic framework of the piece allows two, three and sometimes four decanters to be secured within it, visible but inaccessible when locked. When secured within the tantalus, the decanters can be neither unstoppered nor removed. The tantalus was so called after Tantalus, one of the sons of Zeus.