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What-not

A what-not is a piece of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves supported by columns or corner posts, used for displaying ornaments, books, or other small items. Derived from the French étagère, it became popular in England during the first three-quarters of the 19th century, particularly in Victorian homes, as a versatile display stand for curiosities and decorative objects. Typically constructed from woods like , , or , what-nots feature two to five tiers, sometimes with drawers or galleries at the base, and were valued for their elegant, space-efficient design in drawing rooms and parlours. Their popularity waned after the mid-19th century but they remain collectible antiques today.

Overview

Definition and Etymology

A what-not is a multi-tiered shelving unit consisting of open shelves supported by slender uprights, designed primarily for the display of small decorative items such as , ornaments, or other trifles. Derived from the étagère, it functions as a lightweight, floor-standing piece of furniture that emphasizes aesthetic presentation over enclosed storage. The term "what-not" originates from the English phrase "what not," which dates to the mid-16th century and signifies "anything" or "all sorts of things," reflecting the furniture's versatile, catch-all purpose for miscellaneous objects. In the context of furniture, the name was first applied in the early to describe such shelving units, with the earliest known reference appearing in a 1808 letter by Lady Sarah Spencer. Unlike sideboards or cabinets, which typically incorporate drawers or enclosed compartments for , the what-not features an open-sided on slim supports, prioritizing visibility and accessibility for decorative display rather than concealment or utility. This distinction underscores its role as a hospitable showcase for objets d'art in domestic settings.

General Characteristics

A what-not is typically composed of 4 to 6 horizontal shelves arranged in a tiered or rectangular structure, supported by 2 to 4 slender pillars or turned spindles. These floor-standing pieces generally measure 4 to 6 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in width, providing a compact yet prominent unit suitable for domestic interiors. Functionally, the what-not excels in versatility for showcasing lightweight decorative items, including figurines, books, and souvenirs, allowing for curated arrangements that highlight personal collections. Its fully open-sided construction promotes unobstructed visibility and easy access, distinguishing it from enclosed by enabling straightforward dusting and rearrangement without confined spaces that trap particles. This invites interaction from guests, enhancing the role of displayed objects in settings. Aesthetically, what-nots prioritize simplicity and utility, featuring minimal ornamentation to avoid overshadowing the items placed upon them, rather than elaborate carvings seen in more ornate furniture forms. This understated approach made them particularly apt for middle-class drawing rooms, where practicality complemented everyday elegance. Their popularity surged in 19th-century as households sought affordable means to exhibit mementos and ornaments.

History

Origins in France

The étagère, a freestanding shelving unit designed for the display of decorative objects, emerged in mid-18th-century amid the style's ornate aesthetic, particularly in during the . This form reflected the period's emphasis on , bombé shapes, and intricate gilt-bronze mounts featuring C-scrolls, shells, and floral motifs, allowing for the elegant presentation of in intimate interiors. As part of the Enlightenment's collecting boom, étagères facilitated the showcasing of curiosities, including exotic imports and natural specimens, aligning with intellectual pursuits among the elite. Influenced by the reigns of and XVI, the étagère drew from royal commissions and Versailles furnishings, where similar shelving integrated adjustable shelves, sliding mechanisms, and wire-mesh doors for secure yet accessible display. Key makers included Bernard II van Risenburgh, whose mid-1730s examples featured adjustable shelves for books and prints in salons; Jacques Dubois, who produced transportable corner variants around 1744–1755 with lacquer panels and mounts; and Jean-François Oeben, whose works incorporated floral marquetry inspired by botanical art. These pieces initially served aristocratic salons, housing souvenirs from —such as figurines and classical —brought back by travelers, underscoring the furniture's role in cultural and intellectual exchange. Examples linked to Versailles include armoires and secrétaires delivered to the Grand Trianon in 1755, adapting shelving for elite curiosity cabinets. Following the , the étagère transitioned to simpler, more neoclassical forms under the Directoire and early Empire styles, shedding excessive ornamentation for straight lines, portability, and relative affordability to suit a broader, post-aristocratic clientele. This evolution emphasized lightweight construction and modular designs, making the pieces easier to produce and transport. By around 1800, these refined étagères began influencing exports to , where they laid the groundwork for the what-not's adoption in middle-class homes.

Adoption and Popularity in England

The what-not entered around 1800–1810, primarily through imports of the étagère and subsequent local adaptations during the Regency period, when it first appeared in documented as a novel display piece. Early examples were light and elegant, often featuring multiple open shelves for ornaments, reflecting a growing interest in versatile storage that bridged functionality and . Its popularity surged from the onward, becoming a ubiquitous fixture in Victorian drawing rooms as middle-class households expanded and sought to furnish homes with affordable yet refined pieces. This rise coincided with the era's industrialization, which enabled and made such furniture accessible beyond aristocratic circles; the burgeoning , empowered by , embraced hobbyist collecting of decorative items like shells, ceramics, and curios, for which the what-not provided an ideal open display. Period literature frequently depicted it as a household essential, underscoring its integration into everyday domestic life. The what-not reached its peak usage through the , with production scaling to great numbers by prominent firms such as Gillow & Co., whose estimate sketch books record numerous designs and commissions for these shelves during this time. However, its prominence waned in the late as tastes shifted toward the Aesthetic Movement, which favored heavier, enclosed furniture forms influenced by and a reaction against Victorian clutter.

Design and Materials

Structural Features

The core structure of a what-not features slender vertical posts, frequently turned or fluted, that rise from a to support multiple horizontal shelves connected by brackets or dovetail joints. These posts provide the primary vertical framework, creating an open, freestanding form typically rectangular in profile, though triangular variants exist for corner placement. Most examples incorporate 3 to 5 tiers of shelves, arranged in graduating sizes to ensure proportional height and visual balance while maximizing display capacity. Decorative elements enhance the aesthetic appeal of Victorian what-nots, with fretwork galleries often adorning the uppermost shelf to frame displayed items elegantly. Turned finials crown the posts, adding a refined vertical emphasis, while pierced backs or open latticework in some models introduce intricate shadow play and lightness to the overall silhouette. Stability is maintained through weighted plinth bases or reinforcing corner brackets, which anchor the slender form against potential overturning from uneven loading. Ergonomic aspects prioritize accessibility in the open-sided design, allowing unobstructed reach to objects on any tier without the hindrance of enclosing panels. Shelf depths generally measure 8 to 12 inches, calibrated to securely hold small decorative items like or ornaments while minimizing forward projection that could lead to tipping. This configuration, often executed in woods such as for durability and finish, underscores the what-not's role as a practical yet ornamental piece.

Woods and Construction Techniques

What-nots were primarily constructed using durable hardwoods valued for their strength and aesthetic qualities during the . , often imported from , was a favored choice due to its rich grain and exceptional durability, making it ideal for supporting multi-tiered shelves over long periods. provided an exotic appeal in higher-end pieces, prized for its deep color and intricate figuring that enhanced decorative elements. appeared in lighter Victorian variants, offering a more subdued tone while maintaining structural integrity suitable for freestanding or corner designs. Construction techniques emphasized precision and turning to ensure stability in these open-shelf structures. Hand-turned pillars, created using lathes, formed the vertical supports, allowing for elegant spindles and posts that complemented the overall form. Shelves were typically secured with glued mortise-and-tenon joints, a that provided robust connections without visible fasteners, promoting longevity in . By the mid-19th century, in factories incorporated steam-powered saws, enabling faster cutting and assembly of components while preserving handcrafted details in finer examples. Finishes focused on enhancing the wood's natural beauty and protection. French polishing, a labor-intensive process involving repeated applications of , produced a glossy surface that highlighted the grain and resisted wear on exposed shelves. Occasional inlays of or added contrast and ornamentation, often along edges or gallery rails for subtle luxury. Well-made what-nots from these materials and methods boast an average lifespan exceeding 100 years, as evidenced by surviving antiques that retain their original form and finish.

Usage and Variations

Placement in Victorian Homes

In Victorian homes, what-nots were primarily located in drawing rooms or parlors, serving as central fixtures for showcasing personal collections and enhancing the room's elegance. These multi-tiered shelves, typically featuring four to six levels, were positioned against walls or in corners to conserve floor space while allowing for the display of ornaments such as and curiosities. Corner placements, often with triangular designs, were particularly favored for their compact fit, enabling even modest parlors to incorporate the piece without overcrowding. The spatial arrangement of what-nots contributed to the symmetrical layouts characteristic of Victorian interiors, where they acted as focal points balanced against other furnishings like sofas and pier tables positioned between windows. In smaller homes, adaptations such as tall, narrow models ensured accessibility, fitting snugly into alcoves or beside seating areas to maintain an open yet curated atmosphere.

Types and Regional Styles

What-nots were produced in various forms to suit different domestic spaces and evolving tastes during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Corner types, characterized by triangular bases and graduated shelves, were specifically designed for alcoves and tight spaces, making them a practical choice for many Victorian households. These pieces often featured galleries and turned supports for added ornamentation. In contrast, freestanding rectangular models with three to four open shelves supported by upright posts allowed for central placement in larger rooms, providing versatile display options for ornaments and collectibles. By the Edwardian period after 1900, what-nots evolved with additions like mirrored backs, often in the Aesthetic Movement style, enhancing reflectivity and elegance in transitional designs. Specialized forms catered to particular uses beyond general display. Integrated music stands, common in Victorian iterations, combined upper shelves for with a hinged top tier, facilitating both storage and performance in drawing rooms.

Cultural and Collectible Significance

Role in 19th-Century Society

In 19th-century , the whatnot emerged as a key symbol of middle-class aspiration, enabling households to curate personal displays of ornaments, books, and souvenirs that showcased intellectual refinement and worldly experiences. These tiered shelves allowed families to exhibit items such as figurines, travel mementos from , or family photographs, transforming the parlor into a stage for social signaling and cultural sophistication. Unlike more elaborate étagères reserved for the elite, the simpler British whatnot emphasized accessibility, highlighting the owner's taste without overwhelming the displayed objects themselves. The whatnot also played a significant role in reinforcing ideals of and domesticity, particularly as a domain managed by women who used it to express creativity and maintain the moral sanctity of the home. Middle-class women often arranged these shelves with , shellwork, or sentimental crafts like hair jewelry and mourning pictures, aligning with the archetype that positioned them as guardians of and domestic harmony. Literary depictions, such as those in Victorian novels, further tied these displays to feminine virtues of and submissiveness, where the whatnot became a private yet performative space for within the . Economically, the rise of affordable, mass-produced whatnots during the democratized the display of luxury, contrasting with bespoke étagères and fueling broader consumerism among the emerging . Advances in machine-carving and factory production made ornate yet inexpensive versions widely available, allowing ordinary households to mimic aristocratic ostentation through bric-à-brac collections. This shift not only indicated rising affluence but also embodied the era's emphasis on , where such furniture bridged social aspirations with industrial efficiency.

Modern Interpretations and Market

Following the decline of ornate Victorian furniture in the mid-20th century, when modern design emphasized and functionality leading to sparse domestic use of what-not shelves, a emerged in the amid growing interest in decor and styles. This resurgence aligned with broader trends in period reproduction, where what-nots reappeared in English-inspired interiors featuring mounted shelves and turned supports. Contemporary reproductions maintain traditional forms while using durable materials like solid Honduran , as produced by Laurel Crown Furniture, which crafts these pieces to evoke elegance for display needs. These reproductions often include staged open shelves for ornaments, ensuring accessibility and aesthetic appeal in heritage-style homes. In the antiques market, original Victorian what-nots command values ranging from approximately $700 to $3,800, influenced by factors such as wood type (e.g., or ), overall condition, and historical , with higher-end examples featuring intricate carvings or multiple tiers. Such pieces appeal to Victorian specialists and frequently appear on platforms like , where they are sought for their craftsmanship in wood and turned posts. Today, what-not shelves serve in eclectic interiors that mix historical motifs with contemporary luxury, such as in modern Victorian schemes incorporating dramatic, layered displays. They also feature in collections, where examples illustrate 19th-century furniture design and are occasionally exhibited alongside . Adaptations as minimalist shelves appear in homes, often upcycled for uses like plant stands or simplified storage to blend vintage form with current functionality.

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