Queen Anne Armchairs
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 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1930s Spanish Vintage Queen Anne Armchairs
Wood, Braid
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Armchairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Armchairs
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Maple
20th Century British Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany, Walnut
1950s American Vintage Queen Anne Armchairs
Cotton, Wood, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Silk, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Swedish Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Early 1900s English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
1730s European Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
1920s Vintage Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Textile, Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
1790s English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Queen Anne Armchairs
Rope, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Armchairs
Wool, Walnut
Early 1900s English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Armchairs
Ormolu
1870s English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Fabric, Oak
19th Century Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
1920s English Vintage Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
18th Century Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century North American Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Queen Anne Armchairs
Damask, Maple
Early 18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Cane, Walnut
18th Century British Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Wood, Walnut, Tapestry
Late 19th Century British Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1770s British Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
18th Century American Antique Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Armchairs
Burl
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Armchairs
Burl
20th Century Great Britain (UK) Queen Anne Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Queen Anne Armchairs
Tapestry, Wood