Sheffield Plate Tantalus

Product Details

Antique Sheffield Plate three bottle tantalus, English circa 1840-50, with the original cut and etched crystal decanters.

The tantalus frame shows the copper base metal, primarily on the base; what Sheffield enthusiasts refer to as “bleeding”.  The decanters are in good condition.

The decanters are 8 1/2” (21.6cm) high, 3 1/2” (8.9cm) diameter.

The overall height is 10 1/2” (26.6cm) high, 9” (22.9cm) diameter.

Sheffield Plate, often called Old Sheffield Plate, is a historical material and technique created by fusing a thin sheet of sterling silver onto a base metal, usually copper. Discovered in the 1740s in Sheffield, England, it provided an affordable alternative to solid sterling silver.

More information on the full history of Sheffield Plate is available on wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Sheffield_Plate