Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
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.
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Mahogany
1910s American Vintage Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Stained Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Paint, Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Lead
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Marble
Early 20th Century French Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Wrought Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Pine, Glass, Stained Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Glass, Stained Glass, Pine
Late 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Stained Glass, Pine
19th Century Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Stained Glass
Late 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
Late 19th Century European Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Stained Glass, Wood
1880s American Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Wood
Early 1900s English Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Mahogany, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century North American Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Brass
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Carrara Marble
1730s Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Steel
19th Century British Antique Queen Anne Building and Garden Elements
Brass, Wrought Iron
