A fine early Victorian mahogany four-tier whatnot, circa 1840 to 1860, of tall, slender and very useful proportions. The graduated rectangular shelves are separated by slender, ring-turned supports of baluster form, with the uppermost tier crowned by turned ball finials at the front corners, a lovely detail that gives the piece a light, architectural silhouette. The deep lower tier is fitted with a single frieze drawer with two turned wooden knobs, providing useful concealed storage beneath the open shelves. The whole stands on turned and tapering feet, finishing in brass cappings and original castors, which allow it to be moved easily about the room. The mahogany has aged to a deep, rich red-brown with a soft, glowing patina from generations of waxing and polishing, and the shelves carry the gentle surface marks you would expect of a piece that has been used and enjoyed for well over a century. Whatnots of this type were made to display books, china and ornaments in the Victorian parlour, and they remain wonderfully practical today, equally at home beside a sofa or armchair, in a hallway, study or bedroom, or in a corner where space is limited. Elegant, well proportioned and full of Victorian charm, a most appealing piece in good original condition.
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