A French rustic wirework (fil de fer) three-tier corner étagère, late 19th or early 20th century. This charming utilitarian piece features a triangular corner-fitting frame constructed from hand-twisted and woven iron wire, forming a diamond-patterned mesh. It is designed with three graduated shelves surmounted by a decorative arched wire gallery, all supported on simple wire loop feet.

Historical & Style Details

• Period: Early 20th Century
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Hand-twisted and woven iron wire (fil de fer)
• Materials: Iron wire
• Decorative Details: Arched top gallery, diamond-mesh shelving, three-tier corner design
• Colour & Surface: Aged grey oxidized patina with traces of historic paint and zinc galvanization
• Condition: Structurally sound with overall oxidation, minor bending to wire mesh consistent with age and utilitarian use, stable on feet

History

Wirework furniture and decorative objects, known in France as fil de fer, gained immense popularity during the 19th and early 20th centuries for both garden and domestic use. Valued for their lightweight durability and airy aesthetic, these pieces were hand-crafted by skilled wire weavers (grillageurs). Corner étagères of this type were highly practical, utilized in pantries, kitchens, or conservatories to store vegetables, plants, or household wares while allowing maximum air circulation.