Abstract: A wall shelf unit 100 that can be specially adapted as a decorative plate shelf unit 300. The wall shelf unit 100 generally comprises an elongated shelf member 20 with at least one shelf support member 40, or corbel, that interlocks with shelf member 20 in a substantially perpendicular fashion. Shelf support member 40 comprises a tongue 44, preferably a male French dovetail, formed at one end thereof. Shelf member 20 comprises a groove 21, preferably a female French dovetail, formed in an underside surface thereof and that extends substantially across the width of shelf member 20 to receive tongue 44 of shelf support member 40. Tongue 44 engages groove 21 by sliding into groove 21 to form an interlocking shelf unit 100. Because the wall shelf unit 100 can be packaged and sold in a knock-down configuration and flat packed, which can be quickly and easily assembled by a consumer, it minimizes the storage stocking or distribution space required of a vendor.