The Tantalus by George Betjemann in Calamander is a late Victorian example veneered in exotic calamander wood and fitted with silver mounted locking mechanisms and three cut glass decanters.
The tantalus is of elongated rectangular form with a chamfered plinth base and square division housing for the decanter bottles. The exterior is beautifully veneered in richly figured calamander and mounted to each corner with sterling silver scrollwork brackets. The silver mounts are hallmarked for George Betjemann & Sons, London, with the date letter “F” for 1901.
The upper silvered locking bracket incorporates an integral carrying handle and pivots to secure the decanters in place. One side is stamped “Betjemann Patent 48419 London” while the opposing side is stamped “The Tantalus”.
The locking mechanism operates by inserting the key and applying pressure while turning clockwise through a full rotation, allowing the escutcheon disc to depress and release the locking frame. The front retains the original retailer’s plaque for Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, “158 to 162 Oxford Street & Manson House Buildings London”.
The tantalus retains its original set of three hobnail cut glass decanters complete with faceted glass stoppers. The piece also retains its fully functioning Bramah lock and tasselled key.
The George Betjemann tantalus dates to 1901 during the final years of the Victorian period and the beginning of the Edwardian era.