Search 0
57,686  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 310 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTSNEW
310 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1227401
FOR SALE
£5,800
Email Phone
Save
18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790
For sale by Anthony Short Antiques
for sale €6,786     $7,366
£5,800
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2020
Browse dealers 172 items
Relevant Links
Id #SA1227401
PDF SHARE
SAVE

18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790

18th century
Description

Very Fine Quality 18th-century George III Period 4-Tier Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand

*Attributed to Gillows, circa 1780–1790*

An exceptionally fine and elegant late 18th-century George III period four-tier mahogany whatnot music stand, attributed to the celebrated firm of Gillows of Lancaster and London.

Beautifully crafted in rich, solid mahogany, this refined piece features a square moulded top above four tapering tiers, supported by tall, turned columns and raised on stylish square spade feet. The tiers are enhanced by classic turned finials and gently scalloped skirts, providing both grace and visual balance. Two of the tiers incorporate working drawers, oak lined and finely fitted, offering discreet storage while preserving the piece’s elegant proportions.

The mahogany retains its superb original colour, with a warm, mellow patina developed over more than two centuries. In excellent original condition throughout, the surfaces, lines and details all demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship associated with Georgian cabinetmaking and the Gillows workshop in particular. Two closely related designs are recorded in the Gillows Estimate Sketch Books, dated March 1790 and July 1793, further supporting the attribution.

Equally suitable as a music stand, étagère or whatnot, this versatile piece offers both practicality and presence. Its graceful silhouette and distinguished history make it an ideal focal point for a drawing room, music room or study, and an outstanding choice for any refined interior seeking a genuine period statement piece of museum-worthy quality. England, circa 1780–1790.

Height 147cm (57.9in)

Width 44cm (17.3in)

Depth 44cm (17.3in)

Physical Dimensions
Height
147cm (57.87")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
44cm (17.32")
Declaration

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this George III Mahogany Whatnot to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1227401
Dealers Internal Reference
1570
Description
Very Fine Quality 18th-century George III Period 4-Tier Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand

Attributed to Gillows, circa 1780–1790*

“
An exceptionally fine and elegant late 18th-century George III period four-tier mahogany whatnot music stand, attributed to the celebrated firm of Gillows of Lancaster and London.
Anthony Short Antiques
fig 1. A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
fig 1. 18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790

Beautifully crafted in rich, solid mahogany, this refined piece features a square moulded top above four tapering tiers, supported by tall, turned columns and raised on stylish square spade feet. The tiers are enhanced by classic turned finials and gently scalloped skirts, providing both grace and visual balance. Two of the tiers incorporate working drawers, oak lined and finely fitted, offering discreet storage while preserving the piece’s elegant proportions.

fig 2. A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
fig 2. 18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790

The mahogany retains its superb original colour, with a warm, mellow patina developed over more than two centuries. In excellent original condition throughout, the surfaces, lines and details all demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship associated with Georgian cabinetmaking and the Gillows workshop in particular. Two closely related designs are recorded in the Gillows Estimate Sketch Books, dated March 1790 and July 1793, further supporting the attribution.

fig 3. A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
fig 3. 18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790

Equally suitable as a music stand, étagère or whatnot, this versatile piece offers both practicality and presence. Its graceful silhouette and distinguished history make it an ideal focal point for a drawing room, music room or study, and an outstanding choice for any refined interior seeking a genuine period statement piece of museum-worthy quality. England, circa 1780–1790.

Height 147cm (57.9in)

Width 44cm (17.3in)

Depth 44cm (17.3in)

Height
147cm (57.87")
Width
44cm (17.32")
Depth
44cm (17.32")
Date of Manufacture

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this George III Mahogany Whatnot to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1227401
Dealers Internal Ref
1570
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Anthony Short Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
1 / 10
Archive I A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.

18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790

Archive II A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View II
Archive III A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View III
Archive IV A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View IV
Archive V A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View V
Archive VI A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View VI
Archive VII A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View VII
Archive VIII A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View VIII
Archive IX A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View IX
Archive X A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques
Telephone 07595 60 33 48
Location
Market Square
Petworth
West Sussex
GU28 0AH
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified Since Jul 2020
Items For Sale 172
Items Sold 57
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Market Square, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AH, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified
Jul 2020
For Sale
172
Sold
57
A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
18TH CENTURY GEORGE III WHATNOT ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS, C1790
Ref: SA1227401
A four-tiered George III mahogany whatnot featuring slender corner supports, turned finials, scalloped aprons, and square tapered legs.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTier Stands
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorge III
  • MaterialMahogany
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsTurned finials, Scalloped aprons, Slender uprights, Square tapered legs
  • SizeH 147 cm (58 in) x W 44 cm (17 in) x D 44 cm (17 in)

This 18th-century George III period whatnot stands as an open tier stand in rich mahogany with a warm brown timber colour. Four square tiers sit in a vertical stack, supported by slender uprights and surmounted by turned finials at the upper corners. Below each tier, scalloped aprons curve outwards between the corner supports, while the base terminates in square tapered legs. The timber displays a deep polish across every surface. Measuring 147 cm high, 44 cm wide, and 44 cm deep, the unit provides display and storage space across its open shelves. It functions effectively in an empty corner of a study, drawing room, or library to hold books, decorative items, or sheet music, combining vertical presence with a compact footprint in a traditional interior.

FAQs

A whatnot is an open-tiered piece of freestanding furniture introduced in late 18th-century Britain, designed with vertical tiers to display ornaments, books, or papers.

Late Georgian whatnots were predominantly crafted using dense, dark mahogany timbers, incorporating turned upright supports, solid wood shelving, and brass fittings.

Authentic examples feature hand-cut joinery, natural patination on mahogany surfaces, slender hand-turned uprights, hand-carved aprons, and period square tapered or turned legs.

Position the stand in an alcove or corner to display curated ceramics, small sculptures, or stacked books, utilising its vertical footprint to maximize floor space.

Dust surfaces regularly using a soft microfibre cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish along the wood grain twice yearly while keeping the piece away from direct heat sources.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories