Just Moodling About... My Favourite Things

Why not a Whatnot?

Wikipedia says:

A what-not is a piece of furniture derived from the French for shelf, which was exceedingly popular in England in the first three-quarters of the 19th century. It usually consists of slender uprights or pillars, supporting a series of shelves for holding china, ornaments, trifles, or what not, hence the elusive name. In its English form, although a convenient piece of drawing room furniture, it was rarely beautiful. The early mahogany examples are, however, sometimes graceful in their simplicity.

This Author says:

Rarely beautiful? Mine is extremely beautiful - and whilst it is Oak, not Mahogany, it is exceptionally graceful...to me! I love the way it tucks into a corner, adding its own particular charm and grace to an otherwise dull area. And as you will see, a Whatnot and the special treasures it displays absolutely demands the sweetest crocheted doily beneath each special piece. Luckily, due to my inordinate love of doileys, I have quite a collection - many of them actually hand-crocheted by my mother-in-law.

A doily you ask? Again, Wikipedia answers:

A doily (also doiley, doilie, doyly, doyley) is an ornamental mat, typically made of paper or fabric, and variously used for protecting surfaces or binding flowers, in food service presentation, or as a head covering or clothing ornamentation. It is characterized by openwork, which allows the surface of the underlying object to show through.

And I ask - why not a Whatnot....why not, indeed?

Atop my Whatnot is a most special vase. It belonged to my Great-Grandmother (on my Mum's side) which tends to make it just SO precious. The stamp underneath says it was made in England - but the maker's name and symbol are impossible to decipher.

How strange that the Salad Bowl and Servers on the bottom shelf are so similar in design, and this is also English china, but that maker appears to be Bridgwood.

This set also has engraving on its brass rim, because it was a trophy awarded to my Grandfather on my Dad's side. These words say -

'Presented to A.J. GRAHAM (GM) as Capt. Initiation Team, Lodge 43, 1915'

This was the local Freemason's Lodge, and the (GM) stands for Grand Master - an extremely honourable title to hold - but not so surprising for a gentleman reportedly admired and esteemed by many people.

On the second shelf is my attempt to mimic these two beauties. How could the sweetest shaped pot be such a total horror to make? But despite the blood, sweat and tears, the thing I'm proudest of is that I only managed to put one of the four Decals (or prints) on back to front! Luckily, that one faces to the back at all times, and nobody knows - until they lift it up (I discourage that as much as possible, for obvious reasons).

And the beautiful shallow 'Pansy' bowl on the bottom shelf was actually hand-painted by my Father-in-law, some years before they left Denmark in 1956. Harry Larsen was actually a house painter by trade, but part of his apprenticeship examinations had included the delicate painting of flowers on a tall Grandfather clock he had made himself. He developed a love of china-painting - but I am guessing it was WWII that changed all that. As far as I know, he never painted like this ever again. Certainly never here in Australia. How sad. It's such talented and skillful work.