What is a Victorian Canterbury whatnot?

A Victorian Canterbury whatnot is a multi-tiered piece of occasional furniture designed to store sheet music, periodicals, or books in vertical compartments while providing flat shelf surfaces for display.

What materials were commonly used in Victorian Canterburys?

Victorian Canterburys were typically crafted from hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, or rosewood, often featuring decorative burr veneers, ebony or boxwood marquetry, turned wooden supports, and brass castors.

How can you identify authentic 19th-century burr walnut furniture?

Authentic 19th-century pieces display genuine hand-cut joinery, natural timber oxidisation, hand-turned supports, original brass or ceramic castors, and realistic burr wood grain patterns without modern laminate repetitions.

How do you style an antique Canterbury in a modern interior?

An antique Canterbury can be styled alongside modern seating as an end table, utilised in an entryway for holding mail and magazines, or placed in a living space as a dedicated media rack.

How should burr walnut antique furniture be preserved?

Maintain burr walnut surfaces by dusting regularly with a soft cloth, applying high-grade beeswax paste occasionally, and keeping the piece away from direct heat sources or intense sunlight to prevent veneer warping.

for sale €1,369 $1,486

£1,170

Lincoln Restorations

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2021

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Specialist antique furniture and safe restorers. - to buy from US, please visit our website and search for the item number (numbers only) -

Relevant Links

Inlaid Walnut Canterbury

Victorian Walnut Canterbury

Id #SA1047242

PDF

SAVE

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

Name: Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1047242
Price: 1170 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Lincoln Restorations

Description

Victorian Canterbury Whatnot.

A very rare Canterbury Whatnot in beautiful condition

We bring to you the most marvellous example of an original mid Victorian Canterbury Whatnot which is believed to be made around C1860.

The Canterbury was first introduced in the late 18th Century Georgian period and got its name from the first commissioned piece by the Archbishop of Canterbury for storing sheet music. The Canterbury is a low magazine rack which is quite rare in original form. However, a much smaller amount of taller Canterburys were made named 'Canterbury Whatnots' as it is a combination of the Whatnot shelf and the Canterbury. These pieces are very rare and sought after amongst collectors.

This absolutely stunning Canterbury Whatnot is in fantastic original condition complete with its original glazed French polished finish which we have just enhanced by sympathetically cleaning and carefully waxing. The Canterbury Whatnot features the finest Burr Walnut veneer to the top which is finely inlaid with Ebony, boxwood and burr Elm in a beautiful geometric floral design. The stunning bold inlays almost look like they have been influenced by the Aesthetic movement style and are present on the top, lower Canterbury rim and drawer with Boxwood stringings throughout. The piece is raised with 3 tiers with typical early Victorian turnings between the lower portion having 3 divided compartments perfect for storing books, paperwork, newspapers, magazines or even record disks.

The base contains a high quality slim dovetailed constructed drawer with turned knobs which works smoothly and is clean inside. The whole piece stands on finely turned legs with its original polished Brass castors on typical early victorian white porcelain wheels, so can easily be moved around the room.

This fine piece of antique furniture would make an elegant addition to any home as it is small and decorative but also provides very useful storage whilst also being able to display ornaments or decorative items.

Please note this item is in beautiful condition for its age as shown in the photographs below however being an antique there may be minor repairs and imperfections here and there. However, we feel that these points are which adds charm and character to a piece.

Dimensions

Height to top: 890mm

Height to Canterbury rim (second tier): 480mm

Height to lower shelf: 260mm

Width : 590mm

Depth: 400mm

Delivery

*Private insured courier normally £60 for this item, enquire for accurate quote*

Physical Dimensions

Height

89cm (35.04")

Width

59cm (23.23")

Depth

40cm (15.75")

Declaration

Lincoln Restorations has dated this Burr Walnut Canterbury Whatnot to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1047242

Dealers Notes

To place an order with us or see the services we offer, please visit our website.

To find an item quickly on our website, use the selling antiques item number (omitting the SA) in the search bar at the top of the page on our website.

- www.lincolnrestorations.co.uk -

Description

Victorian Canterbury Whatnot.

A very rare Canterbury Whatnot in beautiful condition

“

We bring to you the most marvellous example of an original mid Victorian Canterbury Whatnot which is believed to be made around C1860.

Lincoln Restorations

fig 1. A Victorian burr walnut Canterbury whatnot featuring a flat top surface, turned supports, vertical dividers, a bottom drawer with inlaid motifs, and brass castors. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

The Canterbury was first introduced in the late 18th Century Georgian period and got its name from the first commissioned piece by the Archbishop of Canterbury for storing sheet music. The Canterbury is a low magazine rack which is quite rare in original form. However, a much smaller amount of taller Canterburys were made named 'Canterbury Whatnots' as it is a combination of the Whatnot shelf and the Canterbury. These pieces are very rare and sought after amongst collectors.

fig 2. A Victorian burr walnut Canterbury whatnot featuring a flat top surface, turned supports, vertical dividers, a bottom drawer with inlaid motifs, and brass castors. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

This absolutely stunning Canterbury Whatnot is in fantastic original condition complete with its original glazed French polished finish which we have just enhanced by sympathetically cleaning and carefully waxing. The Canterbury Whatnot features the finest Burr Walnut veneer to the top which is finely inlaid with Ebony, boxwood and burr Elm in a beautiful geometric floral design. The stunning bold inlays almost look like they have been influenced by the Aesthetic movement style and are present on the top, lower Canterbury rim and drawer with Boxwood stringings throughout. The piece is raised with 3 tiers with typical early Victorian turnings between the lower portion having 3 divided compartments perfect for storing books, paperwork, newspapers, magazines or even record disks.

fig 3. A Victorian burr walnut Canterbury whatnot featuring a flat top surface, turned supports, vertical dividers, a bottom drawer with inlaid motifs, and brass castors. — fig 3. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

The base contains a high quality slim dovetailed constructed drawer with turned knobs which works smoothly and is clean inside. The whole piece stands on finely turned legs with its original polished Brass castors on typical early victorian white porcelain wheels, so can easily be moved around the room.

fig 4. A Victorian burr walnut Canterbury whatnot featuring a flat top surface, turned supports, vertical dividers, a bottom drawer with inlaid motifs, and brass castors. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

This fine piece of antique furniture would make an elegant addition to any home as it is small and decorative but also provides very useful storage whilst also being able to display ornaments or decorative items.

fig 5. A Victorian burr walnut Canterbury whatnot featuring a flat top surface, turned supports, vertical dividers, a bottom drawer with inlaid motifs, and brass castors. — fig 5. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Ebony Inlaid Canterbury Whatnot with Drawer

Please note this item is in beautiful condition for its age as shown in the photographs below however being an antique there may be minor repairs and imperfections here and there. However, we feel that these points are which adds charm and character to a piece.