What is the difference between a whatnot and an étagère?

In practice, nothing. The listings use both words for the same free-standing stand of open tiers, and étagère is simply the French term. The spelling is unusually unsettled for this form. Whatnot, what not, wot-not, wotnot, watnot, ettagere and etagere all appear in titles for what is essentially one object.

Which wood is most common?

Mahogany, by a clear margin. Oak follows, then walnut, rosewood and pine. Beyond those, unusual timbers surface now and then. Padouk, amboyna, birdseye maple, burr elm, satin birch, limewood, yew, cherry and olive wood each appear once or twice, along with a Ceylonese ebony and satinwood étagère.

How old are most of these?

The dated field spans 1750 to 1930. Victorian and 19th-century entries lead, with Regency, Georgian and Edwardian behind them. Precision is the exception. Only 289 of 853 listings give a clean year, and one carved oak wall shelf is entered as 17th century.

Are kitchen plate racks part of this category?

Yes, and they make up roughly one in ten. Plate racks, delft and delph racks, dresser racks and spice racks all sit under the heading, usually in oak or pine. French baker's racks belong here too - boulangerie and patisserie racks turn up, and one stands at the very top of the range.

How often do pairs come up?

Not often: 42 titles in 853. Pairs of Regency rosewood display shelves, George IV yew wood shelves and matched corner whatnots are the sort of thing that appears. Dealers hedge the wording, which tells you something. "Near pair" and "matched pair" are both used.

Do many carry a maker's name?

Very few. Gillows is the only name carried by more than a couple of dealers across the whole category. Even then it is usually qualified rather than stated, appearing as "possibly Gillows" or "attributed to Gillows". About a hundred sets come to market on Sellingantiques in a year, listed by 217 different dealers, and the great majority are described by timber, period and form alone.

Home > Furniture > Shelves > Page 9

Antique Shelves

339 items · page 9 of 22

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Open wooden shelving made for holding and showing books, china and ornaments, hung on a wall or standing free in tiers.

18th century

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Antique 18th Century Oak Dresser Rack

From Penderyn Antiques

£295

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Mid 19th Century Mahogany Etagere with Single Drawer.

From Rupert Hitchcox Antiques

£365

FOR SALE

furniture

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany 4 Flap Tea Table.

1900 - 1920

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Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany 4 Flap Tea Table.

From Rupert Hitchcox Antiques

£185

FOR SALE

furniture

A Pair of Rosewood Whatnots Attributed to Gillows.

19th century

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A Pair of Rosewood Whatnots Attributed to Gillows.

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£3,800

FOR SALE

furniture

Exceptional Regency Rosewood Whatnot Display Piece, Circa 1830

19th century

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Exceptional Regency Rosewood Whatnot Display Piece, Circa 1830

From WelshAntiques

£2,200

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique 19th Century Mahogany Display Shelves – Fine Quality

From Prior and Willis

£1,046

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century George IV Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand, C1820

From Anthony Short Antiques

£2,200

FOR SALE

furniture

Fine Quality Antique Victorian Figured Walnut Three Tier Whatnot

19th century

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Fine Quality Antique Victorian Figured Walnut Three Tier Whatnot

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£2,285

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Mid 19th Century Mahogany Whatnot

From Desired Effect Antiques Ltd

£1,200

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century Portable Mahogany Bookshelves

From Baggott & Co.

£795

FOR SALE

furniture

The oldest shelf to pass through Sellingantiques is a carved oak wall shelf entered as 17th century. A George II oak spice rack of about 1750 follows it.

Set of Georgian Mahogany Hanging Shelves

19th century

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Set of Georgian Mahogany Hanging Shelves

From Christopher Buck Antiques Ltd.

£1,450

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Victorian Rosewood Whatnot

From Douglas George Antiques

£495

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Oak & Beech Display Shelves – Quality

From Prior and Willis

£556

FOR SALE

furniture

Antique Mahogany & Brass Campaign Washstand – Circa 1880

19th century

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Antique Mahogany & Brass Campaign Washstand – Circa 1880

From The Antiques Hound

£765

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century George IV Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand, C1820

From Anthony Short Antiques

£2,200

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Large Set of Wall Hanging Shelves

From Ropeworks Antiques

£680

FOR SALE

furniture

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Antique Shelves

Antique 18th Century Oak Dresser Rack

Mid 19th Century Mahogany Etagere with Single Drawer.

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany 4 Flap Tea Table.

A Pair of Rosewood Whatnots Attributed to Gillows.

Exceptional Regency Rosewood Whatnot Display Piece, Circa 1830

Antique 19th Century Mahogany Display Shelves – Fine Quality

19th Century George IV Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand, C1820

Fine Quality Antique Victorian Figured Walnut Three Tier Whatnot

Mid 19th Century Mahogany Whatnot

19th Century Portable Mahogany Bookshelves

Set of Georgian Mahogany Hanging Shelves

Victorian Rosewood Whatnot

Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Oak & Beech Display Shelves – Quality

Antique Mahogany & Brass Campaign Washstand – Circa 1880

19th Century George IV Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand, C1820

Large Set of Wall Hanging Shelves

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