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 11

Antique Shelves

339 items · page 11 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.

19th century

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Mid C19th Anglo Indian Padouk Whatnot

From Gary Wright Antiques Ltd

£2,200

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th C Mahogany Whatnot

From Mytton Antiques - Jerrard Nares

£650

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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A Rosewood Whatnot of Superior Quality

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£1,650

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century Unusual Victorian Shelving Stand on Turned Feet and Original Castors

From A Brookes

£1,685

FOR SALE

furniture

1900 - 1920

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Small Antique 3 Tier Etagere Whatnot

From John Howkins Antiques

£325

FOR SALE

furniture

18th century

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Oak Hanging Shelves

From James Reeve (Quinneys of Warwick)

£395

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Mahogany William IV Whatnot

From Philip Hunt Antiques

£795

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century Tall Mahogany Etagere

From Jake Wright Antiques Ltd.

£1,650

FOR SALE

furniture

18th century

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Georgian Oak Hanging Wall Shelves

From Harrison Antique Furniture

£590

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique Mahogany Buffet

From Deva Antiques

£285

FOR SALE

furniture

Around a hundred shelves are listed on Sellingantiques each year, and 217 dealers have listed them - one of the more widely spread furniture categories.

Elegant Early C19th George III Period Mahogany Etagere of Compact Scale .

18th century

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Elegant Early C19th George III Period Mahogany Etagere of Compact Scale .

From M Lees and Sons

£900

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Whatnot

From London City Antiques

£1,085

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Victorian Mahogany Buffet

From Deva Antiques

£285

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Mahogany Book Stand

From Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

£425

FOR SALE

furniture

Regency Mahogany Waterfall Fronted Open Shelves

19th century

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Regency Mahogany Waterfall Fronted Open Shelves

From Baggott & Co.

£485

FOR SALE

furniture

18th century

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Antique French Vaisselier Dresser

From Arcadia Antiques

£2,650

FOR SALE

furniture

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Antique Shelves

Mid C19th Anglo Indian Padouk Whatnot

19th C Mahogany Whatnot

A Rosewood Whatnot of Superior Quality

19th Century Unusual Victorian Shelving Stand on Turned Feet and Original Castors

Small Antique 3 Tier Etagere Whatnot

Oak Hanging Shelves

Mahogany William IV Whatnot

19th Century Tall Mahogany Etagere

Georgian Oak Hanging Wall Shelves

Antique Mahogany Buffet

Elegant Early C19th George III Period Mahogany Etagere of Compact Scale .

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Whatnot

Victorian Mahogany Buffet

Mahogany Book Stand

Regency Mahogany Waterfall Fronted Open Shelves

Antique French Vaisselier Dresser

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