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 21

Antique Shelves

339 items · page 21 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.

Victorian Walnut Whatnot Bookcase Shelf Unit 1880 Etagere

19th century

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Victorian Walnut Whatnot Bookcase Shelf Unit 1880 Etagere

From Canonbury Antiques

£1,200

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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William IV Mahogany Whatnot

From Philip Hunt Antiques

£1,250

FOR SALE

furniture

A Matched Pair of Regency Octagonal Oak Whatnot or Etagere

19th century

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A Matched Pair of Regency Octagonal Oak Whatnot or Etagere

From Baggott & Co.

£2,800

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Regency Mahogany 3 Tier Etagère

From Gary Wright Antiques Ltd

£1,950

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Top Quality William 4th Ettagere

From Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

£795

FOR SALE

furniture

C19th Mahogany Bookcase with Two Built in Cupboards

19th century

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C19th Mahogany Bookcase with Two Built in Cupboards

From I M Chaney Antique Furniture

£395

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique 19th Century Burr Walnut Demi-lune Display Console Whatnot Table Fine Quality

From Prior and Willis

£1,396

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Early 19th Century 3-Tier Whatnot or Etagere

From Quiet Street Antiques of Bath

£2,150

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Antique Rosewood 4 Tier Etagere Whatnot

From John Howkins Antiques

£775

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Rare French Decorative Table

From French Lavender Antiques and Interiors

£899

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.

19th century

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Victorian Rosewood Corner Whatnot

From FB Antiques

£295

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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Victorian Shop Display Stand

From The Old Yard

£895

FOR SALE

furniture

Antique Canterbury Whatnot, English Burr Walnut, Display Stand, Etagere, Regency

19th century

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Antique Canterbury Whatnot, English Burr Walnut, Display Stand, Etagere, Regency

From London Fine Antiques

£2,450

FOR SALE

furniture

Edwardian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Standing Whatnot

19th century

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Edwardian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Standing Whatnot

From Affordable Old Furniture

£350

FOR SALE

furniture

Attractive Edwardian Hanging Whatnot Shelves

1900 - 1920

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Attractive Edwardian Hanging Whatnot Shelves

From John Howkins Antiques

£365

FOR SALE

furniture

19th century

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19th Century French Walnut Brass Inlaid Etagere

From FB Antiques

£475

FOR SALE

furniture

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Antique Shelves

Victorian Walnut Whatnot Bookcase Shelf Unit 1880 Etagere

William IV Mahogany Whatnot

A Matched Pair of Regency Octagonal Oak Whatnot or Etagere

Regency Mahogany 3 Tier Etagère

Top Quality William 4th Ettagere

C19th Mahogany Bookcase with Two Built in Cupboards

Antique 19th Century Burr Walnut Demi-lune Display Console Whatnot Table Fine Quality

Early 19th Century 3-Tier Whatnot or Etagere

Antique Rosewood 4 Tier Etagere Whatnot

Rare French Decorative Table

Victorian Rosewood Corner Whatnot

Victorian Shop Display Stand

Antique Canterbury Whatnot, English Burr Walnut, Display Stand, Etagere, Regency

Edwardian Inlaid Walnut Four Tier Standing Whatnot

Attractive Edwardian Hanging Whatnot Shelves

19th Century French Walnut Brass Inlaid Etagere

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