Queen Anne Furniture
Although named for the last Stuart monarch of England, antique Queen Anne furniture, with its curvy cabriole legs and pad feet, has its origins in the earlier reign of King William III, which began in 1689 and ended with his death in 1702. Later evolving during Anne’s rule from 1702–14, the style would continue to influence design in the decades after her death.
Sometimes called late Baroque or early Georgian, Queen Anne chairs, bedroom furniture and tables are subdued yet ornate and characterized by a graceful blend of influences ranging from Asian design to classical motifs. Furnishings of this era — with their curvilinear supports and novel emphasis on comfort and versatility — are marked by a shift away from the more opulent and angular William and Mary style.
Chairs designed in the Queen Anne style are more functional and lightweight than their predecessors. They often feature a vase or fiddle-shaped splat, which refers to the central vertical back element, in order to support the spine and plush cushions. Craftsmen of the era predominantly worked in walnut, maple and pine. Any embellishments they introduced in their furnishings were frequently minimal and refined and expressed by way of modest flourishes such as shells or scrolls. Some pieces were more lavish with “japanned” finishes, or varnished interpretations of East Asian lacquer art. Almost every piece of furniture, whether a tea table or desk, included S-shaped, animalistic cabriole legs that end in a paw or claw-and-ball form.
These qualities made Queen Anne furniture popular throughout Europe and North America. Boston and Philadelphia became hubs for the production of this style of furniture, spurred by the arrival of British artisans who fostered a market for well-heeled colonists. While the showier Chippendale style later surpassed it in popularity, Queen Anne’s simple elegance still draws an enduring appreciation.
Find a collection of antique Queen Anne dining tables, seating, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.
18th Century British Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Stone
Early 18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Early 1700s English Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Walnut
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Furniture
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Pine
18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Furniture
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Wood
18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Furniture
1890s American Antique Queen Anne Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary English Queen Anne Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century English Queen Anne Furniture
Marble
1930s Vintage Queen Anne Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Furniture
Iron
20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Furniture
Gold Leaf
