Anyone know what this is?

[steelrgrl]

My husband found this dispenser and we have no idea what it is. If you press down on the top it appears that it will dispense something, but we don't know what it would have been used for.. Soap? Liquor? Thanks for your help!

[fancypants]

Don't know for sure here , steelrgrl , but I'd guesss that perhaps it is a creut set , for dispensing oil & vinegar .

[mart]

What is the size ??  Where do you press down ??  Those metal tops ??  Have you taken them off ??  Hard to tell what it is for without more info !!

[steelrgrl]

They are approximately 10.5 inches tall, including the tops. They do have metal tops and my husband did take them off. You press the top metal part down to dispense, I'm assuming..

[mart]

How far does the dispensing tip extend from the container ??  Would be difficult to use for oil and vinegar I think !!  Two possibilities come to mind !!  Syrup dispenser for shaved ice or part of a bar set and used for bitters ect !!  Have you put a liquid in one to see how much it dispenses at a time !!  What is the red tinge at the bottom of one bottle ??

[steelrgrl]

We have no idea what the red tinge is. It was in there when he got it. We haven't put anything in it because I really need to clean it first. My husband thought maybe it was part of a bar set also. I thought maybe dish soap. Never thought of being used for shaved ice though.. Interesting thought..

[Rauville]

Looks like a version of a "tantalus", which were usually used for liquor or perfume. Does the handle have any means to lock it in place?

Compare to this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Glass-Crystal-Brass-Tantalus-Set-Reversible-Hang-Tags-Estate-Sale-Item-/151078109958?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item232cf50306

[mart]

At 10 inches tall that would be a lot of perfume unless it was used to fill smaller bottles !!  Does the red tinged one smell like anything ??  I am thinking most likely part of a bar set !! Maybe for gin and vermouth,,, one in each ect !!  And yes they were really into shaved ice like our snow cones !!  Where did you find this ?? Is the metal rack aluminum or what ??

[KC]

I have known this to be a coromandel set...So, the question is what is the difference between a coromandel set and tantalus?  They both look the same!  Both are for liquors. 

[bigwull]

i agree with Rauville...this is a Tantalus....can the top bar be locked in place....these were common in Victorian times ...they had locks on them to stop the servants filching the spirits...

[KC]

Any answers about the coromandel?

[bigwull]

Any answers about the coromandel?

nope....

[KC]

Thanks for the laugh this morning Wullie! 

[bigwull]

that,s one of the reasons i,m here.....

[KC]

Wullie, can you remember what post you put your family history on.  The story about being in the war and staying in America, etc.  At my brother's in Wash DC (He's the one that worked at the Pentagon and now is at the National War College).  He is an avid history buff and I was trying to remember the story....Want to tell it accurately!