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ID #SA1227401
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18th Century George III Whatnot Attributed to Gillows, C1790
Anthony Short Antiques
for sale €6,786     $7,366
£5,800
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2020
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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

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

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2020
Items For Sale 175
Items Sold 44
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.
Verified
Jul 2020
For Sale
175
Sold
44
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.
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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.

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.
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