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 17

Antique Shelves

339 items · page 17 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.

Early 20th Century French Parisienne Boulangers Bread Rack

1900 - 1920

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Early 20th Century French Parisienne Boulangers Bread Rack

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£8,250

FOR SALE

furniture

French Empire Style Marble & Canework Two-tier Gueridon

19th century

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French Empire Style Marble & Canework Two-tier Gueridon

From Graham Price Antiques Ltd.

£775

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Nineteenth Century Rosewood Whatnot

From Ropeworks Antiques

£1,280

FOR SALE

furniture

Victorian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Corner Whatnot

19th century

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Victorian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Corner Whatnot

From Harrison Antique Furniture

£590

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Victorian Inlaid What Not

From Philip Hunt Antiques

£995

FOR SALE

furniture

A Lovely Victorian Mahogany Buffet or Dumb Waiter Shelf.

19th century

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A Lovely Victorian Mahogany Buffet or Dumb Waiter Shelf.

From Designer Antiques4u

£595

FOR SALE

furniture

Antique Victorian Rosewood Canterbury Whatnot

19th century

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Antique Victorian Rosewood Canterbury Whatnot

From The Antique Shop

£985

FOR SALE

furniture

Fine Quality Regency Mahogany Small Chiffonier with 2 Shelf Back

19th century

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Fine Quality Regency Mahogany Small Chiffonier with 2 Shelf Back

From E W Cousins and Son

£950

FOR SALE

furniture

Pair of Gilt Metal and Inlaid Marquetry Etageres

1900 - 1920

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Pair of Gilt Metal and Inlaid Marquetry Etageres

From AJD Antiques

£1,200

FOR SALE

furniture

Early Victorian Four-tier Mahogany Whatnot

19th century

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Early Victorian Four-tier Mahogany Whatnot

From Georgian Antiques

£1,100

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.

19th century

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Victorian Walnut Canterbury Whatnot

From Penderyn Antiques

£895

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Regency Mahogany Watnot Wih Cupboard

From A Brookes

£1,125

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Victorian Burr Walnut Whatnot

From Philip Hunt Antiques

£1,275

FOR SALE

furniture

1900 - 1920

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French Original Painted Whatnot

From French Lavender Antiques and Interiors

£300

FOR SALE

furniture

1900 - 1920

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An Attractive Marble Topped Side Table

From Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

£1,150

FOR SALE

furniture

Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut Chiffonier / Whatnot

19th century

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Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut Chiffonier / Whatnot

From Camden Antiques

£1,350

FOR SALE

furniture

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Antique Shelves

Early 20th Century French Parisienne Boulangers Bread Rack

French Empire Style Marble & Canework Two-tier Gueridon

Nineteenth Century Rosewood Whatnot

Victorian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Corner Whatnot

Victorian Inlaid What Not

A Lovely Victorian Mahogany Buffet or Dumb Waiter Shelf.

Antique Victorian Rosewood Canterbury Whatnot

Fine Quality Regency Mahogany Small Chiffonier with 2 Shelf Back

Pair of Gilt Metal and Inlaid Marquetry Etageres

Early Victorian Four-tier Mahogany Whatnot

Victorian Walnut Canterbury Whatnot

Regency Mahogany Watnot Wih Cupboard

Victorian Burr Walnut Whatnot

French Original Painted Whatnot

An Attractive Marble Topped Side Table

Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut Chiffonier / Whatnot

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