An Extremely Unusual And Very Attractive Late 19th Century Ebonised Étagère, Or Small Whatnot, With Lovely Parcel Gilt Highlighted Decoration Throughout, Having Three Fixed Shelves With Bobbin Moulded Decoration To Edges, Flanked By Extremely Elegant Scrolling Lyre End Supports With Carved Gilt Paterae And Attractive Carved Classical Mask, Raised On Scrolling Legs With Carved Paw Feet.

Étagères, or whatnots as they are also commonly known, were produced in a huge variety of forms throughout the 19th century and were essentially designed as elegant pieces of open furniture on which to display treasured possessions, ornaments and other decorative objects. Smaller examples such as this are particularly useful today, offering plenty of display space whilst occupying relatively little floor space.

This particular example is certainly one of the more unusual and decorative examples we have encountered. The ebonised finish contrasts particularly well with the parcel gilt highlighted decoration, whilst the wonderfully elaborate scrolling lyre shaped end supports give the piece an enormous amount of character and visual interest.

There are also some particularly attractive finer details throughout, including the bobbin moulded edges to each of the three shelves, carved gilt paterae and especially the charming carved classical mask. The whole is completed by the elegant scrolling legs and wonderfully decorative carved paw feet.

Despite its relatively small proportions there is a surprising amount of useful display space across the three shelves and it would be equally at home displaying books, photographs, ceramics, glass, small works of art or simply a collection of favourite decorative objects. Its distinctive appearance also means that it works extremely well as a decorative statement piece in its own right and, as demonstrated by its unusual design, is certainly a little different from the more conventional mahogany and rosewood whatnots which are more commonly encountered.

As with all items which we offer for sale this étagère has been attended to in our workshops by our highly skilled and traditional antique furniture restorers before being offered for sale and is therefore ready to place straight into the home.

Circa 1880.

Height 21.75in.
Width 21.5in.
Depth 14in.