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.
Snuffbox with miniature of Venice, English Queen Anne style, 925 silver Salimben
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with English Queen Anne style borders and sides with translucent fired enamel on hand engraving similar to wood grain. On t...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Snuff Box Octagonal English Queen Anne style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal snuff box in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with borders in the English Queen Anne style and sides with translucent fired enamels on ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Snuffbox with English Queen Anne style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal snuff box in gilded 925/1000 silver with English Queen Anne style borders and sides with fired enamels painted like lapis lazuli stone. On the lid, a very fine fire-enamell...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pillbox Queen Victoria English style Shaped Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with hand-painted fired enameled miniature. Queen Victoria English style second half of the 19th century. Measurements cm. 2.2 ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Desk Box with Wonderful Scalloped Interior
Located in West Chester, PA
Queen Anne desk box with scalloped interior on bracket feet. Made of pine with old mahogany finish. Probably New York.
Pine
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver table snuff box; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular, rounded form. The body of the box is embellished with impressive chased floral motifs accented with scrolling stem and foliate ornamentation, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a chased single leaf design to each corner, emanating from the rounded lower portion. The upper rim of the body and swept sides of the cover are encompassed with a continuous band of engine turned decoration. The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration. This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover embellished with an engine turned bordered rectangular vacant cartouche to the upper plateau. The cover is further embellished with an exceptional cast and applied domed, incurved border to the upper portion, matching the ornamentation to that of the body and continuing to an impressive floral thumbpiece to the anterior edge. This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior. Condition This antique sterling silver snuff box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The chased and applied ornamentation is all very sharp and the engine turned decoration is all very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the box are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silverware. Dimensions Length 9.8cm/3.9" Width 6.5cm/2.6" Height 4.3cm/1.7" Weight 8.2 troy ounces/253g Maker: Joseph Willmore...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$426Sale Price|67% Off
H 0.75 in W 2.25 in D 1.5 in
19th Century Sterling Silver Snuffbox Birmingham 1848 by Rolason Bros
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely little sterling silver snuffbox, fully hallmarked with gold plated interior. Lovely chasing on lid and sides, classic high Victorian repousse w...
Sterling Silver
$125
H 1.25 in Dm 1.75 in
Halcyon Days Fine Enamel British Pillbox National History Museum of Los Angeles
By Halcyon Days
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning little porcelain box by Halcyon Days Enamels. The inside lid is inscribed "National History Museum of Los Angeles County 1913-1988." The bottom o...
Porcelain
Godinger Silver Plate Scalloped Lidded Trinket Box
By Godinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely etched and scalloped silver plate trinket box - with a removable lid and lined in red velvet. The lid has an acorn finial. A compli...
Silver Plate
$3,670
H 7.09 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
'Queen Anne' Design Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Biscuit Box by Barnards
By Barnards
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1889 by Barnards, this attractive Victorian, antique, sterling silver biscuit box, has swirled and sunken half fluting, in the Queen Anne style. It has a flus...
Sterling Silver
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.75 in W 10.32 in D 7.13 in
Karl Springer Tessellated Stone Box with Shagreen Interior
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very handsome and iconic lidded box by Karl Springer. Made of tessellated stone, this example has brass accents and a shagreen interior. There's also a gorgeous wood trim d...
Stone, Brass
19th Century English Regency Style Inlaid Box
Located in Tampa, FL
beautiful 19th century English Regency style trinket box, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The box features intricate inlay work across the surface, highl...
Silk, Wood
Silver snuffbox with engravings and hinged lid with opening clasp
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver snuffbox with engraving and hinged lid with opening clasp. Metal: Silver. Origin: Russian. Brand: Unknown. Weight: 70.05 grams. Dimensions: 6.5cmx5cm. Content: 87...
Silver
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.75 in W 9.38 in D 6.75 in
Signed Karl Springer Tessellated Stone Box with Shagreen Interior
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very handsome and iconic lidded box by Karl Springer. Made of tessellated stone, this example has brass accents and a shagreen interior. The box is in very good condition w...
Stone, Brass
Italian Leather Jewelry Box Scalloped Edge
Located in New York, NY
An Italian leather jewelry box with a Kelly-green velvet interior, circa early to mid-20th century, Italy. Box, with scalloped edge design,...
Leather, Velvet
$1,850
H 6.63 in W 10.13 in D 6.25 in
Antique English Georgian Style Inlaid Mahogany Bombe Shaped Tea Caddy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Georgian style mahogany tea caddy. Of bombé form with fruit wood inlay, gilt brass mounts & handle, and bracket feet. Simply a wonderful, rare form! Date: L...
Brass
Silver snuffbox with cigarette holders & monogram on claw feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver snuff box with cigarette holders inside and guilloche engravings surrounding a monogram card supported by four claw-shaped feet. . Metal: Silver. Origin: Dutch. M...
Silver
Queen Anne Laburnum Oyster Veneered Glove Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Charming Queen Anne Period, Early 18th Century Laburnum Wood, Oyster Veneered Glove Box Having Crossbanded Decoration To Hinged Top And Elegant Cross Grain Mouldings Gloves were v...
Other
Miniature Burr Walnut Bureau
Located in Folkestone, GB
An exquisite and very rare early 18th century miniature burr walnut bureau with superb colour and patination. The fall front enclosing a stepped interior with small drawers and pigeo...
Walnut
Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne, George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A rare figured walnut Queen Anne - George I period lace box, circa 1700-1720. The cross-grain banded ovolo moulded top is veneered in figured walnut consisting of an oval to the centre and a quadrant to each corner inlaid in holly. The frieze is cross-grain moulded and veneered in figured walnut to the sides and the face which is inlaid with holy in a framed break-arch fashion and fitted with a gilt brass escutcheon and the original lock. The curiously named 'lace box' or 'bible box' veneered in oyster cut...
Walnut
Sold
H 5.12 in W 10.63 in D 7.49 in
Antique Queen Anne Figured Walnut & Cut Brass Box Casket, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique Queen Anne figured walnut and cut brass mounted box with an adorable swing handle, Circa 1710 in date. This wonderful rectangular casket has a carrying...
Brass
Queen Anne Laburnum Oyster Veneered Glove Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming Queen Anne period, early 18th century Laburnum wood oyster veneered glove box having Crossbanded decoration to hinged top and elegant Cross grain Mouldings (Gloves w...
Other
Queen Anne Laburnum Oyster Veneered Antique Glove Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A delightful Queen Anne period oyster veneered laburnum Glove box with attractive geometric inlaid and crossbanded Decoration to lift up lid enclosing paper lining over Original b...
Other
Antique Bible Box, English Oak Chest, circa 1700
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bible box in English oak, a chest dating to circa 1700. Charming country piece with huge character Dark oak displaying medulla...
English Queen Anne Burl Walnut Lead and Copper Lined Cellarette, Circa 1750
Located in Charleston, SC
English Queen Anne burl walnut diminutive one drawer cellarette with a fitted lead and copper lined interior, original side handles , carved molded scalloped skirt, and terminating ...
Brass, Copper, Lead
Walnut Queen Anne Bible Box
Located in West Chester, PA
This Walnut Queen Anne Bible box has a thumb molded edge, engraved escutcheon and turned feet.
Walnut