Surmounted by a spirally-fluted finial and conformingly cut domed cover, above a circular ormolu rim supported by four spirally-fluted columns between glazed sides, two as hinged fronting doors centred by oval reserves with gilt-embossed 'S' monograms, the interior with mirrored base and with removeable gilt-brass and glass rack holding four bottles with stoppers and sixteen glasses, raised on toupie feet, stamped with the Baccarat mark to underside
18¹⁄₄ in. (46 cm.) high; 15³⁄₄ in. (40 cm.) diameter

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
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Lot Essay

The present lot recalls the various architectural forms for liqueur caskets with which Baccarat experimented in preparation of the 1878 Exposition Universelle. Compare the ormolu-mounted crystal glass cave à liqueur reliquauire and the coffret cave à liqueur similarly encircled with separated columns and enclosing small carafes and glasses, now in the Baccarat collection patrimoniale (illustrated Baccarat: La légende du cristal, Paris, 2014, p. 60). The popularity of the tantalus as both a decorative and functional object was closely linked to changing social habits following the July Monarchy (1830 – 1848). Evening theatricals came to dominate Parisian nightlife and dinner became an even later affair, often beginning at midnight, culminating in an evening digestif, which would have been elegantly offered by hosts to guests in striking cave à liqueur such as the example seen here (op. cit., p. 60).