What is the historical origin of the ebonised lyre-form etagere?

The etagere originated in France during the late eighteenth century as an open shelving unit designed to display small collections. By the late nineteenth century, British and European makers frequently incorporated Classical and Regency Revival motifs, such as the lyre, combined with ebonised finishes that imitated ebony wood.

What materials were traditionally used to make ebonised and parcel gilded etageres?

These pieces were typically constructed from fruitwood, pine, or walnut, which was darkened using an ebonising dye or lacquer. Highlights were applied using water gilding or oil gilding techniques with genuine gold leaf onto carved elements and beaded trim.

How can you verify an authentic late nineteenth-century ebonised etagere?

Authentic pieces exhibit signs of natural age, including minor wear to the gilt highlights showing the underlying bole or wood, hand-cut joinery on the undersides, and subtle irregularities in the turned spindles and carved scrollwork.

How do you style a Victorian etagere in a modern interior?

A dark, tiered stand creates visual contrast against light walls or neutral backgrounds. It serves as an accent piece in a reading corner or living room to hold books, ceramics, or small sculpture.

What is the recommended method for cleaning ebonised and gilt wood furniture?

Dust gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a clean camel-hair brush to prevent lifting delicate gold leaf. Avoid liquid cleaners, chemical polishes, and water, which can dissolve historical lacquer coats and strip gilding.

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Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère

Name: Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1229074
Price: 2295 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by S and S Timms Antiques Ltd

Description

An Extremely Unusual And Very Attractive Late 19th Century Ebonised Étagère, Or Small Whatnot, With Lovely Parcel Gilt Highlighted Decoration Throughout, Having Three Fixed Shelves With Bobbin Moulded Decoration To Edges, Flanked By Extremely Elegant Scrolling Lyre End Supports With Carved Gilt Paterae And Attractive Carved Classical Mask, Raised On Scrolling Legs With Carved Paw Feet.

Étagères, or whatnots as they are also commonly known, were produced in a huge variety of forms throughout the 19th century and were essentially designed as elegant pieces of open furniture on which to display treasured possessions, ornaments and other decorative objects. Smaller examples such as this are particularly useful today, offering plenty of display space whilst occupying relatively little floor space.

This particular example is certainly one of the more unusual and decorative examples we have encountered. The ebonised finish contrasts particularly well with the parcel gilt highlighted decoration, whilst the wonderfully elaborate scrolling lyre shaped end supports give the piece an enormous amount of character and visual interest.

There are also some particularly attractive finer details throughout, including the bobbin moulded edges to each of the three shelves, carved gilt paterae and especially the charming carved classical mask. The whole is completed by the elegant scrolling legs and wonderfully decorative carved paw feet.

Despite its relatively small proportions there is a surprising amount of useful display space across the three shelves and it would be equally at home displaying books, photographs, ceramics, glass, small works of art or simply a collection of favourite decorative objects. Its distinctive appearance also means that it works extremely well as a decorative statement piece in its own right and, as demonstrated by its unusual design, is certainly a little different from the more conventional mahogany and rosewood whatnots which are more commonly encountered.

As with all items which we offer for sale this étagère has been attended to in our workshops by our highly skilled and traditional antique furniture restorers before being offered for sale and is therefore ready to place straight into the home.

Circa 1880.

Height 21.75in.

Width 21.5in.

Depth 14in.

Physical Dimensions

Height

55cm (21.65")

Width

54.5cm (21.46")

Depth

35.5cm (13.98")

Declaration

S and S Timms Antiques Ltd has dated this Ebonised Parcel Gilded Etagere to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1229074

Dealers Internal Reference

9922

Dealers Notes

A Careful Selection Of High Quality Town And Country Furniture For The Home From The 17th, 18th, 19th And Early 20th Centuries.

Members Of BADA, LAPADA & CINOA.

UK Delivery Available At Reasonable Rates.

Worldwide Shipping Arranged.

Description

Étagères, or whatnots as they are also commonly known, were produced in a huge variety of forms throughout the 19th century and were essentially designed as elegant pieces of open furniture on which to display treasured possessions, ornaments and other decorative objects.

“

Smaller examples such as this are particularly useful today, offering plenty of display space whilst occupying relatively little floor space.

S and S Timms Antiques Ltd

fig 1. A late nineteenth-century ebonised three-tiered etagere featuring lyre-shaped side supports, gilt bead trim along the shelf edges, and carved scroll feet. — fig 1. Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère

This particular example is certainly one of the more unusual and decorative examples we have encountered. The ebonised finish contrasts particularly well with the parcel gilt highlighted decoration, whilst the wonderfully elaborate scrolling lyre shaped end supports give the piece an enormous amount of character and visual interest.

fig 2. A late nineteenth-century ebonised three-tiered etagere featuring lyre-shaped side supports, gilt bead trim along the shelf edges, and carved scroll feet. — fig 2. Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère

There are also some particularly attractive finer details throughout, including the bobbin moulded edges to each of the three shelves, carved gilt paterae and especially the charming carved classical mask. The whole is completed by the elegant scrolling legs and wonderfully decorative carved paw feet.

fig 3. A late nineteenth-century ebonised three-tiered etagere featuring lyre-shaped side supports, gilt bead trim along the shelf edges, and carved scroll feet. — fig 3. Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère

Despite its relatively small proportions there is a surprising amount of useful display space across the three shelves and it would be equally at home displaying books, photographs, ceramics, glass, small works of art or simply a collection of favourite decorative objects. Its distinctive appearance also means that it works extremely well as a decorative statement piece in its own right and, as demonstrated by its unusual design, is certainly a little different from the more conventional mahogany and rosewood whatnots which are more commonly encountered.

fig 4. A late nineteenth-century ebonised three-tiered etagere featuring lyre-shaped side supports, gilt bead trim along the shelf edges, and carved scroll feet. — fig 4. Late 19th Century Ebonised & Parcel Gilded Étagère

As with all items which we offer for sale this étagère has been attended to in our workshops by our highly skilled and traditional antique furniture restorers before being offered for sale and is therefore ready to place straight into the home.

Circa 1880.

Height 21.75in.

Width 21.5in.

Depth 14in.