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 Dutch "Delft Dore" Chinoiserie Teapot & Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Imari Elegance: An Early 18th-Century Dutch Delft Doré Chinoiserie Teapot This circular Dutch Delft Doré large teapot is a magnificent example of e...
Delft, Faience
Dutch Delft Large Dish, Chinoiserie Dragon Design, Circa 1700
By AK Dutch Delftware
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dutch Delft Large Dish with Chinoiserie Dragon Design A superb large-format Dutch Delft circular dish, dating to circa 1700. This highly decorative...
Delft, Pottery
Dutch Delft Oval Blue & White Architectural Plaque, Three Porcelain Ash-Barrel
Located in Downingtown, PA
Palatial Grandeur: A Rare Dutch Delft Blue and White Architectural Plaque This exceptional 18th-century Dutch Delft blue and white plaque, designed in an...
Delft, Faience
Delft - Chinoiserie dish with floral basket, second half 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Mid 18th century Blue Delftware platter with Daniel Marot style decoration of a shield amidst flowers and foliage scrolls within a decagon. Beautiful border decoration in rich blue ...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
$793 / set
H 6.89 in W 4.73 in D 3.94 in
Dutch Delft Porceleyne Fles Oval Lobed Jugs with Handles, 1894
By De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Delft Porceleyne Fles oval lobed jugs with handles, 1894 2 oval lobed jugs with handles. In leaf motif painted medallion a scene of seascape and a landscape with ships and ...
Earthenware
Delft - Blue and White Plaque with polychrome frame, mid 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft blue and white wall plaque with integral polychrome self-frame, mid-18th century. The central decoration depicts an Oriental landscape with blossoming peonies, painted in coba...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Delft - 18th century 'Chinoiserie' Blue and White Floral Delft Plate
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft faience plate with Geometric chinoiserie decoration Striking blue and white Delftware plate featuring a central medallion with a stylized floral motif. The wide border is finel...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Set of 5 Circa 1900 Blue and White Delft Vases from Holland
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of five blue and white Delft vases, this faience collection was hand-painted in Holland, circa 1900. The three bulbous vases are lidded, each with a finial depicting a rampant lion with a ball in its forepaws. Beneath the lion is a mottled background (on the front side only), with a foliate and floral margent. Each vase has the same scene painted on the front of the main body: a couple walking through a field surrounded by flowers. The opposite side has a floral rinceaux above a foliate branch. Painted in a similar fashion, the two concave vases are without lids. The side opposite from the cartouche of the couple has floral margents. All five vases have canted corners on the base. Inspired by Italian majolica, the faience produced in 16th century Holland...
Delft, Paint
$695
H 10.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Chinoiserie Dutch Delft Faience Floral Lidded Vase Ginger Jar, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely petite antique Delft Chinoiserie faience cobalt blue and white lidded vase by Boch Keramis, a well-known Belgian maker, circa 1920. Signed on the reverse. This gorgeous vase...
Ceramic
Pair of Dutch Delft Faience Dragon Candlesticks, circa 1930
By Delft
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare pair of vintage Dutch Delft faience dragon candlesticks in cobalt blue and white, circa 1930. Marked "Delft" on reverse. They display beautifully, hand painted in the form of ...
Delft, Faience
Delft - 18th century 'Chinoiserie' Blue and White Delft Plate
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft Tin-glazed earthenware plate decorated in blue on a white ground, featuring a chinoiserie inspired landscape. Dutch, Delft, second half 18th century. Condition: Very good. Mi...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
English Delft - 18th century 'Chinoiserie' Blue and White Delft Plate
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
English Delft Tin-glazed earthenware plate decorated in blue on a white ground, featuring a chinoiserie inspired landscape. English Delft, possibly Liverpool, second half 18th centu...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
17th Century Dutch Delft Tiles Figures in Landscape shephard
By Royal Delft, AK Dutch Delftware, Delft
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
2 Dutch Delft blue and White tiles Depicting figures in a landscape Origin Netherland second half 17th century Condition: Good not glued Delftware or Delft pottery is also known as ...
Delft, Pottery
17th Century Dutch Delft Tiles Figures in Landscape shephard
By Royal Delft, AK Dutch Delftware, Delft
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
2 Dutch Delft blue and White tiles Depicting figures in a landscape Origin Netherland second half 17th century Condition: Good not glued Delftware or Delft pottery is also known as ...
Delft, Pottery
$2,997 / set
H 5.32 in W 4.34 in D 0.4 in
A pair of Dutch Delft blue and white sweetmeat dishes, late 17th C
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
A pair of Dutch Delft sweetmeat dishes in finely modelled fleur-de-lys form, painted in underglaze blue. These pieces belong to the 17th–18th century tradition of Delft sweetmeat se...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience