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.
Sterling Silver Table Clock Square Box Fire Enameled Guilloché Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table clock shaped opening square box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fire enamels on guilloche. Swiss mechanical skeleton movement with 8 days charge with a...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold, Gold Plate
Walnut longcase Clock Langley Bradley
Located in Folkestone, GB
An very fine quality burr walnut longcase clock from the Quenn Anne period with exceptionally well patinated case. With moulded stepped cornice above a fretwork border and silvered d...
Walnut
18th Century Antique Walnut Longcase Clock by Jonathan Lowndes of London
By Jonathan Lowndes
Located in Devon, GB
A fine Queen Anne period, early 18th century walnut hour-striking longcase clock by this well-known London clockmaker. The molded case is veneered with beautifully figured walnut, the herringbone cross-banded rectangular trunk door has raised convex moldings. The flat-top hood has a finely pierced-wood soundfret below the overhanging cornice and brass capped columns either side of the dial. The 12in square...
Walnut
Fine 18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Eight-Day Longcase Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Early 18th-Century Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, Circa 1705-1710. England This magnificent early 18th-century English longcase clock exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship and timeless...
Brass
$995
H 0.25 in Dm 2.38 in
Birks Sterling Silver Ladies Compact with Enamel Portrait & Guilloche Decoration
By Henry Birks
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies compact was made for the Birks retailer in presumably France in circa 1950. This compact features an enamel portrait done in...
Sterling Silver
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel-Mounted Magnifying Glass
By George Hope
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel-mounted magnifying glass, Birmingham, England, 1906, Geo. Hope - maker. Measures almost 9 inches long x 3 3/4 inches diame...
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$5,373Sale Price|20% Off
H 96.86 in W 25.2 in D 11.03 in
Antique Mahogany 8 Day Painted Face Longcase Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding antique mahogany 8 day painted face longcase clock signed Johnson Knaresboro with a swan-neck pediment with original brass finials. This a stunning piece, very decorative...
Brass
$5,370Sale Price|20% Off
H 84.65 in W 19.69 in D 10.04 in
George III Era Longcase Clock – 18th Century
Located in Opole, PL
George III Era Longcase Clock – 18th Century his elegant 18th-century George III longcase clock is a true masterpiece of period craftsmanship, dating to the first half of the 1700s....
Mahogany
$3,416
H 78.75 in W 25.99 in D 14.18 in
Restored Art Deco Longcase Clock, Walnut, Spruce, Polish, Czech, 1920s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This majestic Art Deco grandfather clock represents the pinnacle of Czechoslovak furniture design from the 1920s. Its elegant, geometric lines combined with wood and metal are a perfect example of the era design. The clock case is crafted from solid spruce veneered with walnut. The veneer has a distinctive, rich grain, especially on the base, and has been carefully restored with a revived original polish, highlighting its depth and luster. The clock is equipped with a fully functional three-weight...
Wood, Spruce, Lacquer, Walnut
$6,305Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Antique Viennese Enamel and Silver Gilt Clock Austria circa 1870 Bird Ostrich
Located in London, GB
A pretty Antique Silver Gilt and Viennese Enamel Clock. This oval Clock rests on the back of an ostrich, which in turn stands on a domed base. Th...
Silver, Enamel
Late 18th-Century Swedish Rococo Longcase Clock, Dated 1787
Located in Atlanta, GA
A late-18th-century Swedish Rococo clock dated 1787—a period-correct example that predates most Swedish clocks circulating on today’s market. The ...
Pine
$17,071Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 7.68 in
20th Century Sterling Silver Italian Gilded and Enameled Table Box
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Round haped silver gilded 925/1000 table box with translucent enamels on guilloche with hand-painted floral miniatures and gold paillons Made in Italy 1.400 grams The Miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Boulle Longcase Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French boulle inlaid longcase clock, having wonderful scrolling gilded ormolu mounts, an ebonised case wit...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
Fantastic Swedish Gustavian longcase clock. The case is a Stockholm work from around 1770/1780. It is lacquered and gilded with rich wood-carved details of, among other things, garla...
Iron, Brass
18th Century Longcase Clock by Charles Rowbotham of Leicester
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine longclock from the end of the 18th century circa 1780 in oak by the watchmaker Charles Robotham of the city of Leicester Very beautiful English clock The clock has its o...
Oak
18th century oak longcase clock by James Draycot Wells
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
18th century oak longcase clock by james draycot wells, circa 1790. Excellent quality golden oak longcase clock. Second hand dial, date and baring the makers disc at the top. Hood ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Early 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Stick Barometer, Circa 1705-1710
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine and rare Queen Anne walnut barometer, unsigned, but exhibiting all the stylistic characteristics of the first quarter of the 18th century, circa 1705-1710. Made in the manner ...
Walnut
Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock Green case with Gold Chinoiserie Decoration [ Photos show a blue strip on top dome , not there just a relection from the brass handle] Be...
Lacquer
Sold
H 87.41 in W 17.72 in D 9.85 in
Fine 18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Eight-Day Longcase Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb early 18th century eight-day Queen Anne longcase clock by the famous maker Christopher Gould, circa 1705-1710. The exquisite burr walnut veneered oak case is of the high...
Brass
Queen Anne Style Walnut Grandmother Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Queen Anne style, burr walnut grandmother clock. Having a swan neck pediment, a silvered arch dial clock face, with three ...
Walnut
18th Century Burl Walnut Tall Case Clock by Gerrit Knip
Located in Manhasset, NY
Finest 18th century Dutch burl walnut tall case clock by Gerrit knip. This burl walnut clock having a finely carved case with a magnificent painted scene. The sarcophagus top with bl...
Mahogany Queen Anne Bracket Clock
Located in West Chester, PA
An exceptional bracket clock with a brass dial and an 8-day pull-quarter-repeat. It has brass finials and a brass handle on the top. There are nicely gilded quarter columns and the...
Brass
A bracket clock by Charles Gretton
Located in Devon, GB
A fine Queen Anne period ebony veneered table clock by this celebrated maker, Charles Gretton. The elegant case is veneered with ebony on an oak carcase and has an elegant domed ...
Ebony