A set of standing shelves for holding books, ornaments and whatever. The French term for this form is étagère. Georgian and Regency whatnots were usually square in form, with three or more shelves supported by finely turned spindles. There was generally a small drawer at the bottom. Some examples of red cedar whatnots have survived from colonial times.

Victorian whatnots, which are rather more common, were intended to stand in a corner. Usually triangular, they have staged or graduated shelves, supported by spindles and often with a fretwork gallery at the back of each shelf. They were often made in burr walnut, sometimes inlaid. Bamboo whatnots date from the late 19th century.

Usually the finials have a threaded wooden screw which fits into the matching threaded hole in column, so the units can be disassembled. Often at least one of the threads have worn, and to overcome this, the finials more...

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Fine Victorian mahogany four-tier what-not with turned columns…

Victorian Mahogany Four-Tier What-Not with Drawer

Fine Victorian mahogany four-tier what-not with turned columns and single drawer

Victorian walnut whatnot with pierced gallery back, c1880s.…

Victorian Walnut Pierced Gallery Whatnot

Victorian walnut whatnot with pierced gallery back, c1880s. Height 103 cm, width 79 cm, depth 41 cm. Provenance: Historic Corio Villa Geelong

Large late Regency mahogany what not, set with five square…

Regency Mahogany Whatnot with Five Shelves

Large late Regency mahogany what not, set with five square shelves, on well turned supports and turned tapering feet, 142.5 cm x 60.5 cm x 60.5 cm

A Victorian walnut whatnot canterbury, mid 19th century, in…

Victorian Walnut Canterbury with Fretwork Sides

A Victorian walnut whatnot canterbury, mid 19th century, in well-figured walnut, having a pierced three-quarter gallery, the top with cross banding and ebony and boxwood stringing, with turned supports to a partitioned lower section with fretwork sides…

Victorian inlaid walnut three tier what-not

Victorian Walnut Inlaid Three-Tier What-Not

Victorian inlaid walnut three tier what-not

Victorian gallery back what not, of shaped form, united by…

Victorian Barley Twist Gallery Shelf

Victorian gallery back what not, of shaped form, united by turned Barley twist supports, with three shelves, on turned legs, 123 cm x 108 cm x 39 cm

Fine quality what not, Victorian mahogany of four tiers

Victorian Mahogany Four-Tiered Shelf

Fine quality what not, Victorian mahogany of four tiers

A Victorian walnut and marquetry inlaid what-not fitted with…

Walnut Marquetry What-Not with Shelves and Doors

A Victorian walnut and marquetry inlaid what-not fitted with shelves and two doors

Victorian rosewood three tier whatnot with fretwork gallery top,…

Victorian Rosewood Fretwork Whatnot with Drawer

Victorian rosewood three tier whatnot with fretwork gallery top, scroll and spindle supports, drawer to base on dwarf baluster legs

A Victorian two tier burr walnut whatnot, 19th century, of…

Serpentine Burr Walnut Two-Tier Whatnot

A Victorian two tier burr walnut whatnot, 19th century, of serpentine shape with an arched fretwork rear gallery, turned and relief carved supports with finials, delicate arabesque inlay and stringing, raised on toupie feet, height 59 cm, width 77 cm,…

Victorian canterbury what-not, burr walnut with secretaire…

Walnut Secretaire Canterbury with Leather Writing Slope

Victorian canterbury what-not, burr walnut with secretaire drawer fitted with leather top writing slope

What not early Victorian rosewood with five fixed shelves with…

Victorian Rosewood Bookcase with Carved Finials and Bobbin Supports

What not early Victorian rosewood with five fixed shelves with carved finials to top and bobbin supports, height 149 cm, width 58 cm, depth 35 cm

An antique wotnot, burr walnut and beech, circa 1855, 131 cm…

Burr Walnut Antique Wotnot, 1855

An antique wotnot, burr walnut and beech, circa 1855, 131 cm high, 68 cm wide, 46 cm deep

A French three tier inlaid whatnot, late 19th century, with a…

French Inlaid Three Tier Whatnot

A French three tier inlaid whatnot, late 19th century, with a pierced three quarter gallery and hand coloured inlay to each tier, ebonised rod style timber supports and gently curved splayed legs, height 81 cm, width 45 cm, depth 37 cm

An English wotnot, mahogany and pine with barley twist columns…

Mahogany and Pine Wotnot with Barley Twist Columns, 1865

An English wotnot, mahogany and pine with barley twist columns and single drawer, circa 1865, 107 cm high, 55 cm wide, 36 cm deep

Antique French inlaid two tier whatnot, shaped top with brass…

French inlaid two-tier whatnot with brass gallery

Antique French inlaid two tier whatnot, shaped top with brass pierced gallery, approx 79 cm high, 48 cm long

Antique walnut three tier whatnot

Antique Walnut Three-Tier Whatnot

Antique walnut three tier whatnot

A French circular marble top two tier whatnot. 93 cm high.

French Marble Top Two-Tier Whatnot (93cm)

A French circular marble top two tier whatnot. 93 cm high.

Victorian mahogany & pine three tier what-not

Victorian Three-Tier Mahogany What-Not

Victorian mahogany & pine three tier what-not

Antique French what not/music stand

French Antique Music Stand

Antique French what not/music stand

Victorian mahogany three tier whatnot stand with decorative…

Victorian Mahogany Carved Whatnot Stand with Drawer

Victorian mahogany three tier whatnot stand with decorative carved pediment, to serpentine front of 2 shelves, with full length lower drawer, height 110 cm; width 76 cm; depth 40 cm

Late 19th century three tier What not, of square form, set with…

Ebonised Three-Tier Whatnot with Decorative Tiles

Late 19th century three tier What not, of square form, set with three decorative tiles with figural scenes, with ebonised finish on turned supports

A timber five tiered whatnot with metal Struts & wheels, 190 x…

Timber and Metal Five Tiered Whatnot with Wheels

A timber five tiered whatnot with metal Struts & wheels, 190 x 120 x 48 cm

A Victorian wotnot, burr walnut with marquetry inlaid drawer,…

Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Wotnot

A Victorian wotnot, burr walnut with marquetry inlaid drawer, late 19th century, drawer base replaced, 53 cm high, 55 cm wide, 36 cm deep

A Victorian inlaid walnut whatnot, later 19th century, with a…

Victorian Walnut Whatnot with Fretwork Gallery and Drawer

A Victorian inlaid walnut whatnot, later 19th century, with a three quarter fretwork gallery, twin pierced brackets and turned supports to a lower section with a glass top above a single drawer, raised on mushroom shaped feet with porcelain casters,…

A Victorian mahogany whatnot, 19th century, a five tier whatnot…

Victorian mahogany five-tier whatnot

A Victorian mahogany whatnot, 19th century, a five tier whatnot with a pierced arched crest and turned supports and finials raised on small turned and knopped legs. Height 131.5 cm. Width 66 cm. Depth 23.5 cm

Three tier antique what not, inlaid and decorated with…

Inlaid Tumbridgeware Three-Tier Antique Whatnot

Three tier antique what not, inlaid and decorated with tumbridgeware

Victorian rosewood 4 tier whatnot, with barley spiral twist…

Victorian Rosewood 4 Tier Fretwork Whatnot

Victorian rosewood 4 tier whatnot, with barley spiral twist supports and fretwork gallery to top, 67 cm wide, 116.5 cm high

An oak three tier whatnot, English circa 1910, with barley…

English Oak Three Tier Whatnot with Barley Twist Column

An oak three tier whatnot, English circa 1910, with barley twist column, 148 cm high

A Victorian style five tier mahogany what-not, 67 x 127 x 19.5…

Victorian Mahogany Five-Tier What-Not

A Victorian style five tier mahogany what-not, 67 x 127 x 19.5 cm

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, 89.5 cm, wide,…

Victorian Walnut Marquetry Whatnot

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, 89.5 cm, wide, 36 cm, deep, 107.5 cm, high

Victorian mahogany three tier whatnot, with fretwork gallery…

Victorian Mahogany Fretwork Whatnot with Drawer

Victorian mahogany three tier whatnot, with fretwork gallery top, barley twist and scroll supports, oblong drawer to the base on turned feet with brass castors (veneer faults)

Antique floral marquetry inlaid demi lune shape whatnot, 134 cm…

Antique Floral Inlaid Demi Lune Whatnot

Antique floral marquetry inlaid demi lune shape whatnot, 134 cm high, 62 cm wide, 29 cm deep

Antique mahogany four tiered whatnot, approx 138 cm high, 70 cm…

Mahogany Four-Tiered Whatnot - Antique

Antique mahogany four tiered whatnot, approx 138 cm high, 70 cm wide, 73 cm deep

Victorian five tier whatnot, with barley spiral twist supports,…

Victorian Barley Twist Five-Tier Whatnot

Victorian five tier whatnot, with barley spiral twist supports, 69 cm wide, 132 cm high

William IV four tier rosewood whatnot with a drawer, 46 cm x 46…

William IV Rosewood Whatnot with Drawer (10 words)

William IV four tier rosewood whatnot with a drawer, 46 cm x 46 cm, 131 cm high

An Edwardian four tier what not, early 20th century With a…

Edwardian Four Tier Fretwork Whatnot with Inlaid Embellishments

An Edwardian four tier what not, early 20th century With a fretwork crest to the rear and cascading tiers supported by turned spindles with finials and raised upon toupie feet, each rectangular shelf with inlaid embellishments in boxwood and ebony, height…

Quality reproduction three tier what-not with fretwork in walnut

Walnut Fretwork Three-Tier What-Not

Quality reproduction three tier what-not with fretwork in walnut

Vintage three tier whatnot with marquetry inlaid shelves…

Marquetry Three-Tiered Whatnot with Turned Columns

Vintage three tier whatnot with marquetry inlaid shelves supported by turned columns, 51.5 cm x 36 cm, 75.5 cm high approx.

Late Victorian walnut whatnot with fretwork gallery top, 54.5…

Victorian Walnut Fretwork Whatnot

Late Victorian walnut whatnot with fretwork gallery top, 54.5 cm wide, 34 cm deep, 109 cm high

A Victorian walnut whatnot, 19th century, the three-tier…

Victorian Walnut Serpentine Whatnot

A Victorian walnut whatnot, 19th century, the three-tier whatnot of rectangular form with a serpentine profile front, having a foliate carved rear gallery, with turned supports and finials and raised on short turned legs with toupie feet and brass casters…

A Victorian three tier inlaid walnut whatnot, 19th century,…

Victorian Inlaid Walnut Three-Tier Whatnot

A Victorian three tier inlaid walnut whatnot, 19th century, with shaped shelves of graduating depth supported by turned and spiral twist spindles with finials and raised upon toupie feet, each shelf with inlaid embellishments in satinwood and ebony.…

A Victorian Four-Tier whatnot, height 118.5 cm, width 69 cm,…

Victorian Four-Tier Whatnot - Elegant Display Stand

A Victorian Four-Tier whatnot, height 118.5 cm, width 69 cm, depth 33.5 cm

Attractive late 19th century what-not

19th Century Attractive What-Not

Attractive late 19th century what-not

A Victorian marquetry inlaid three tier what-not

Victorian Marquetry Three-Tier What-Not

A Victorian marquetry inlaid three tier what-not

An antique English four tier wotnot with barley twist columns,…

An antique English four tier wotnot with barley twist columns, walnut and mahogany, circa 1875, 99 cm high, 62 cm wide, 26 cm deep

Antique walnut four tier what not with fretwork gallery top,…

Antique Walnut Fretwork Whatnot with Marquetry Inlay

Antique walnut four tier what not with fretwork gallery top, marquetry inlaid shelves and turned fluted supports, 52 cm wide, 147.5 cm high

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay shelves and…

Victorian Walnut Marquetry Whatnot with Mirrored Top

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay shelves and fretwork mirrored top, 55 cm wide, 115 cm high

Victorian burr walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, fretwork…

Victorian Burr Walnut Marquetry Whatnot

Victorian burr walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, fretwork and turned spiral fluted supports, as inspected, 55.5 cm wide, 101 cm high, 35.5 cm deep

A Victorian two tier inlaid walnut whatnot, 19th century…

Victorian Walnut Inlaid Two-Tier Whatnot

A Victorian two tier inlaid walnut whatnot, 19th century supported by turned and spiral twist spindles with finials and raised upon toupie feet, each rectangular shelf with inlaid embellishments in satinwood and ebony. Height 68 cm, length 55 cm, width 35…

A parquetry what-not of small proportions

Miniature Parquetry What-Not

A parquetry what-not of small proportions

A Victorian walnut barley-twist two-tier what-not English circa…

A Victorian walnut barley-twist two-tier what-not English circa 1865 56 cm high, 48 cm wide, 37.5 deep, English circa 1865, 56 cm high, 48 cm wide, 37.5 deep

Victorian 4 tier what not with marquetry inlay, 61 cm wide, 134…

Victorian Marquetry What Not, 4 Tier

Victorian 4 tier what not with marquetry inlay, 61 cm wide, 134 cm high

Victorian small whatnot

Tiny Victorian Whatnot

Victorian small whatnot

Victorian rosewood whatnot with gallery top, 53 cm wide, 40 cm…

Victorian rosewood whatnot with gallery top, 53 cm wide, 40 cm deep, 97 cm high

Victorian 4 tier whatnot with spiral twist turned supports and…

Victorian Spiral Twist Fretwork Whatnot

Victorian 4 tier whatnot with spiral twist turned supports and fretwork top, 70 cm wide, 32.5 cm deep, 113 cm high

A mahogany four tier what-not with galleried top, 130 x 67 x 42…

Mahogany Four-Tiered Galleried What-Not

A mahogany four tier what-not with galleried top, 130 x 67 x 42 cm

Victorian walnut graduated serpentine whatnot, four tier with…

Serpentine Walnut Four-Tier Whatnot with Spiral Supports

Victorian walnut graduated serpentine whatnot, four tier with spiral turned supports and urn finials

Late Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlaid shelves and…

Victorian Walnut Marquetry Whatnot

Late Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlaid shelves and fretwork panels, 53.5 cm wide, 100 cm high

A burr walnut veneer two shelf whatnot, height 122 cm

Burr Walnut Two-Shelf Whatnot - 122cm Height

A burr walnut veneer two shelf whatnot, height 122 cm

A Victorian three-tier marquetry what-not, c. 1890, in…

Victorian Marquetry Three-Tier What-Not

A Victorian three-tier marquetry what-not, c. 1890, in excellent original condition, 99 x 56 x 28 cm

Mahogany 3 tier whatnot with 4 drawers, 54 cm wide, 20 cm deep,…

Mahogany 3-Tier Whatnot with 4 Drawers

Mahogany 3 tier whatnot with 4 drawers, 54 cm wide, 20 cm deep, 112 cm high

A white painted wicker double basket What not, 87 x 45 x 45 cm

White Wicker Double Basket What Not

A white painted wicker double basket What not, 87 x 45 x 45 cm

Victorian 2 tier whatnot with marquetry inlay, 51 cm wide, 34…

Victorian Marquetry Inlaid 2-Tier Whatnot

Victorian 2 tier whatnot with marquetry inlay, 51 cm wide, 34 cm deep, 59 cm high

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, 54 cm wide, 35…

Victorian Walnut Marquetry Whatnot, 99cm High

Victorian walnut whatnot with marquetry inlay, 54 cm wide, 35 cm deep, 99 cm high

An Edwardian four tier whatnot, early 20th century, with a…

Edwardian Boxwood Inlaid Four Tier Whatnot

An Edwardian four tier whatnot, early 20th century, with a fretwork crest to the rear and pentagon shaped cascading tiers each inlaid with boxwood vegetal motifs and having turned supports and feet, height 139 cm, width 67 cm, depth 28 cm

Victorian walnut 3 tier whatnot with inlaid shelves, 54 cm wide,…

Victorian Inlaid Walnut 3-Tier Whatnot

Victorian walnut 3 tier whatnot with inlaid shelves, 54 cm wide, 35 cm deep, 102 cm high

Victorian walnut veneer what not, featuring three shelves…

Victorian Walnut Veneer Cabinet with Inlaid Urn Decoration

Victorian walnut veneer what not, featuring three shelves raised on turned supports, above a cabinet with central hinged door, decorated with blondwood inlaid urn, a/f, 150 cm x 59 cm

A white paint rattan four shelf whatnot 130 x 51 x 34 cm

White Rattan Four-Shelf Whatnot - 130x51x34cm

A white paint rattan four shelf whatnot 130 x 51 x 34 cm