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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A Victorian inlaid walnut four-tier whatnot, late 19th century,…

Victorian Walnut Floral Inlaid Four-Tier Corner Whatnot (Late 19th Century)

A Victorian inlaid walnut four-tier whatnot, late 19th century, the corner whatnot with boxwood floral inlay, turned supports and finials supporting shaped shelves, 130 cm high, 43 cm to each side at the base

An antique Colonial Australian cedar and pine corner wotnot…

1850 Colonial Australian Cedar and Pine Corner Wotnot, Three Tiers

An antique Colonial Australian cedar and pine corner wotnot with three tiers, circa 1850, 126 cm high, 74 cm wide, 40 cm deep

An Anglo-Indian carved corner whatnot, late 19th early 20th…

Anglo-Indian Carved Corner Whatnot, Late 19th Century

An Anglo-Indian carved corner whatnot, late 19th early 20th century the tapered and four tiered shelf with heavily carved and reticulated decorative fretwork, raised on short cabriole legs. Height 144 cm, width 75 cm, depth 49 cm

An antique English Aesthetic movement walnut corner whatnot…

Aesthetic Walnut Corner Whatnot with Mirrored Back

An antique English Aesthetic movement walnut corner whatnot shelving stand with mirrored back, in the manner of Edward William Godwin 19th/20th century, 148 cm high, 73 cm wide, 52 cm deep.

An Edwardian corner whatnot, early 20th century, the graduated…

Edwardian Mahogany Corner Whatnot with Fretwork Gallery

An Edwardian corner whatnot, early 20th century, the graduated four tier mahogany corner whatnot, a fretwork gallery to the upper tier, turned and spiral twist supports and finials upon turned ball feet. Height 153 cm, width 58 cm, depth 36 cm

Late Victorian inlaid walnut corner whatnot with single door…

Victorian Walnut Corner Cabinet

Late Victorian inlaid walnut corner whatnot with single door cabinet to base, 57 cm wide, 39 cm deep, 146 cm high

Victorian rosewood corner whatnot with fretwork gallery top and…

Victorian Rosewood Corner Whatnot with Fretwork Gallery Top

Victorian rosewood corner whatnot with fretwork gallery top and spiral twist supports, 59 cm wide, 38 cm deep, 126 cm high Nb trim below 2nd bottom shelf partially missing

An antique timber four tier corner wotnot, circa 1885, 124 cm…

1885 Antique Timber Four Tier Corner Wotnot

An antique timber four tier corner wotnot, circa 1885, 124 cm high, 58 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Burr walnut corner what not, polished with Barley twist spiral…

Barley Twist Burr Walnut Corner What Not

Burr walnut corner what not, polished with Barley twist spiral columns

Victorian corner what-not, burr walnut with inlays, four tier…

Burr Walnut Four-Tier Corner What-Not

Victorian corner what-not, burr walnut with inlays, four tier with bow front, turned columns and brass gallery to the top

A Colonial Australian cedar four tier corner wotnot, circa 1885,…

Colonial Australian Cedar Corner Wotnot, 1885

A Colonial Australian cedar four tier corner wotnot, circa 1885, 125 cm high, 55 cm wide, 35 cm deep

An antique corner four tier wotnot, burr walnut with marquetry…

Burr Walnut Marquetry Wotnot with Barley Twist Columns

An antique corner four tier wotnot, burr walnut with marquetry inlay and barley twist columns, circa 1885, 118 cm high, 63 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Antique corner what-not piece four levels, with decorative…

Carved Wood Corner What-Not with Turned Columns (9 words)

Antique corner what-not piece four levels, with decorative carved wood pediment, and turned column supports, height 145 cm, width 70 cm

An early 19th century rosewood three tier corner whatnot, with…

Rosewood Corner Whatnot with Fretwork Gallery

An early 19th century rosewood three tier corner whatnot, with serpentine fronted shelves, raised on barley twist columns and with fretwork gallery to the top shelf. Old BADA sticker affixed, height 90 cm

Australian Folk Art depression era cotton reel corner wotnot…

Depression-era Australian Folk Art Corner Wotnot

Australian Folk Art depression era cotton reel corner wotnot with white painted finish, circa 1890s, '142 cm high, 41 cm wide, 25 cm deep

Australian Folk Art depression era cotton reel corner wotnot,…

Depression-Era Australian Cotton Reel Corner Wotnot

Australian Folk Art depression era cotton reel corner wotnot, circa 1890s, 124 cm high, 48 cm wide, 27 cm deep

Australian Folk Art twig and branch construction corner wotnot…

Antique Australian Twig and Branch Corner Display

Australian Folk Art twig and branch construction corner wotnot with original brown painted finish, circa 1900, 127 cm high, 50 cm wide, 39 cm deep

Corner What not Victorian cedar, four tier, with turned columns,…

Victorian Cedar Four-Tier Corner Stand

Corner What not Victorian cedar, four tier, with turned columns, height 141 cm, depth 45 cm

A Victorian figured walnut four tier corner whatnot, scrolling…

Victorian Walnut Corner Whatnot with Pierced Gallery

A Victorian figured walnut four tier corner whatnot, scrolling pierced gallery to the top, height 136 cm.

A Victorian walnut whatnot, second half 19th century, the…

Victorian Walnut Three-Tiered Corner Whatnot

A Victorian walnut whatnot, second half 19th century, the corner quarter circle whatnot of three tiered form with fretwork galleries, boxwood inlay, spindle supports and raised on turned legs, height 98 cm, width 56 cm, depth 37 cm

Large Victorian mahogany corner what-not 195 cm high, 110 cm…

Victorian Mahogany Corner What-not - 195cm x 110cm

Large Victorian mahogany corner what-not 195 cm high, 110 cm high

Corner whatnot, cotton reel, c1910, unusual formal construction,…

Unusual Cotton Reel Corner Whatnot, c. 1910

Corner whatnot, cotton reel, c1910, unusual formal construction, height 150 cm (approx)

An Edwardian four tier walnut corner whatnot, early 20th…

Edwardian Walnut Corner Whatnot with Inlay and Twist Supports

An Edwardian four tier walnut corner whatnot, early 20th century, the tiers of graduating shape with boxwood and ebony inlay, having turned and spiral carved twist supports with finials, height 147 cm

An Edwardian three tier walnut corner whatnot, early 20th…

Edwardian Walnut Corner Whatnot with Inlay and Fretwork Gallery

An Edwardian three tier walnut corner whatnot, early 20th century, the shaped tiers with boxwood and ebony inlay, a fretwork gallery to the upper tier, turned and spiral twist supports and finials upon turned ball feet, height 110 cm

A late Victorian walnut veneer four-tier corner what-not, 126 x…

Victorian Walnut Corner What-Not

A late Victorian walnut veneer four-tier corner what-not, 126 x 43 x 43 cm

A folk art bobbin reel corner wotnot, Barossa Valley, South…

Barossa Valley Folk Art Bobbin Reel Corner Wotnot

A folk art bobbin reel corner wotnot, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 19th century, 123 cm high, 59 cm wide, 35 cm deep

A corner whatnot, burr walnut with marquetry inlay, circa 1870,…

Burr Walnut Marquetry Corner Whatnot, Circa 1870

A corner whatnot, burr walnut with marquetry inlay, circa 1870, 129 cm high, 60 cm wide, 40 cm deep

Early marquetry corner whatnot stand. 4 levels, turned columns.…

Antique Marquetry Corner Stand with Turned Columns

Early marquetry corner whatnot stand. 4 levels, turned columns. Height 136 cm Depth 30 cm (max to base)

A Victorian cedar corner whatnot, second half 19th century, the…

Victorian Cedar Corner Whatnot

A Victorian cedar corner whatnot, second half 19th century, the five tier whatnot with shaped shelves of typical graduating waterfall form with a pierced shaped gallery, and bobbin style supports with finials. Height 138 cm. Width 61 cm. Depth 39 cm.

Victorian walnut inlaid corner 4 tier whatnot

Victorian Walnut Corner 4-Tier Inlaid Whatnot

Victorian walnut inlaid corner 4 tier whatnot

A Victorian walnut corner whatnot. Later 19th century, of four…

Victorian Walnut Corner Whatnot

A Victorian walnut corner whatnot. Later 19th century, of four tier graduating form with turned and spiral carved supports, finials and fretwork, each shelf inlaid with ebony and satinwood in the Sheraton manner, raised on ball and squashed bun feet.…

Antique corner whatnot, approx 111 cm high, 41 cm wide, 37 cm…

Antique Corner Whatnot: 111 cm High

Antique corner whatnot, approx 111 cm high, 41 cm wide, 37 cm deep

Metal corner whatnot shelves, 165 cm high

Metal Corner Shelf, 165cm Height

Metal corner whatnot shelves, 165 cm high

A Victorian burr walnut and mahogany corner What-not, c.1880's,…

Victorian Corner What-Not with Fretwork Shelves

A Victorian burr walnut and mahogany corner What-not, c.1880's, with four tier shelves and fretwork mahogany frame. Height 127 cm

Edwardian walnut corner whatnot. Pierced gallery, inlaid &…

Walnut Corner Whatnot with Inlaid Decoration

Edwardian walnut corner whatnot. Pierced gallery, inlaid & stringing decoration. Turned columns. Height 137 cm. Width 69 cm. Depth 48 cm

A Victorian graduated four tier inlaid burr walnut corner…

Victorian Burr Walnut Corner Whatnot with Inlay and Finials

A Victorian graduated four tier inlaid burr walnut corner whatnot, boxwood stringing and scroll inlay, turned spindles and finials.

An antique mahogany corner What-not with mirrored door

Mahogany Corner What-not with Mirrored Door

An antique mahogany corner What-not with mirrored door

A four tier oak inlay Victorian corner what-not '138 x 40 x 40…

Victorian Oak Corner What-Not with Inlay (10 words)

A four tier oak inlay Victorian corner what-not '138 x 40 x 40 cm

A rare colonial cedar six stage serpentine corner whatnot, of…

Colonial Cedar Serpentine Corner Whatnot with Turned Supports

A rare colonial cedar six stage serpentine corner whatnot, of unusually large proportions, plain with turned column supports and finials, with a single wide boarded back and supported on four original white china casters. New Zealand or Australian made.…

Victorian corner whatnot with turned supports. Approx 130 cm…

Victorian Turned Corner Whatnot - 130cm Height

Victorian corner whatnot with turned supports. Approx 130 cm high

Victorian mahogany four tier corner whatnot

Victorian Mahogany Corner Whatnot

Victorian mahogany four tier corner whatnot

Victorian inlaid mahogany corner what not

Victorian Mahogany Corner Whatnot with Inlay

Victorian inlaid mahogany corner what not

A Victorian corner whatnot, late 19th century, with four…

Victorian Inlaid Corner Whatnot

A Victorian corner whatnot, late 19th century, with four graduated shaped tiers, each with a delicate inlaid urn and scroll design with stringing, and supported by turned and twist carved legs with finials, the top tier surmounted by a pierced and…

Good antique Victorian inlaid walnut corner whatnot, approx 136…

Victorian Walnut Corner Whatnot, 136cm High

Good antique Victorian inlaid walnut corner whatnot, approx 136 cm high

A French mahogany corner whatnot. Three step tiers with applied…

Mahogany Corner Whatnot with Ormolu Decoration

A French mahogany corner whatnot. Three step tiers with applied ormolu decoration. 110 cm high.

Victorian walnut corner what not with marquetry inlay on each…

Victorian Walnut Marquetry Corner Whatnot

Victorian walnut corner what not with marquetry inlay on each shelf, 148 cm high