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 English School Portrait Painting Of A Young Girl
Located in Ongar, GB
A beautiful early 18th century English school oil on canvas portrait painting of a young girl in fine clothes. Pointing to her pet dog while boats are sailing past the window in the...
Canvas
English School Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Woodbury, CT
This 18th century English School portrait of a gentleman attired in garb befitting an earl is a fine example of aristocratic portraiture, a ...
Canvas
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 27 in D 2 in
18th Century English Portrait of Two Bearded Gentlemen
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An unsigned canvas depicting two bearded ‘Renaissance’ gentlemen painted from the waist up in a loving posterior embrace. The painting is very likely English late 17th or 18th century. Relined well over a hundred years ago which suggests that the work may be 17th or 18 century. Presently in a contemporary, compatible frame. The canvas relining was done by John Peel who was active in London in the early 19thC. John Peel worked from Golden Square, London 1819, 7 Naylors Yard 1820-1834, 17 Golden Square 1832-1843, 17-18 Golden Square 1844-1858, 12 Marlborough Row as carver and gilder...
Canvas
$5,975
H 28.38 in W 23.38 in D 1.63 in
Portrait of a Gentleman with Piercing Blue Eyes, School of Raeburn, circa 1820
By Sir Henry Raeburn
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exquisite circa 1820 Regency period portrait in the manner of Scottish royal portraitist Sir Henry Raeburn (4 March 1756 – 8 July 1823) of a...
Canvas, Wood, Birdseye Maple, Paint
Georgian Original Framed Silhouette Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and very finely produced antique Georgian original framed silhouette portrait of a gentleman dating from the 18th century. The portrait mounted in a thick carved wooden fr...
Glass, Hardwood
FRENCH SCHOOL "Portrait of a Girl with Flowers". 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH SCHOOL "Portrait of a Girl with Flowers". Oil on canvas from the 18th century. Relined. Dimensions: 80 x 64 cm Good condition
Paint
18th Century British School, Portrait of Lady and Child
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century British School, Portrait of Lady and Child, oil painted on board in a naïve style, framed in a gold coloured frame. Partial old handwritten note on the back of the pai...
Wood, Oak
$4,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 25 in D 1 in
18th Century, French School Portrait of a Young Philip V, the King of Spain
Located in Atlanta, GA
French School, 18th century. Oil on Canvas painting set in an antique giltwood frame. Unsigned. An 18th century portrait painting of a young Philip V or at this time Duke of Anjou....
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
$920Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 12.375 in D 0.25 in
18th Century Mughal School Indian Portrait Miniature Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
Indian, 18th or early 19th century. This exquisite 18th-century Mughal School miniature painting is a masterful example of the rich artistic tradition that flourished under the Mugh...
Gold Leaf
$2,228
H 19.69 in W 16.15 in D 1.38 in
SECOND HALF OF THE 18th CENTURY PASTEL PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined pastel portrait in a carved and gilded wooden frame. The painting depicts a young girl wearing period clothing and hairstyle typical of the 18th century. Her hair is tied bac...
Canvas, Glass, Wood, Crayon
Pair of 18th Century English School Portraits of Children
Located in Basildon, GB
Pair of 18th Century English School Portraits of Children, by a follower of Francis Alleyne, framed in an ornate, oval-shaped gold and dark-coloured frames. One portrait of a young ...
Canvas
French Impressionist Painting Portrait of a Young Girl Paris School
Located in Rochester, NY
Striking French impressionist portrait of a young girl. Oil on board. Original carved frame. Circa 1950's. Signed illegibly lower right.
Paint
$1,131Sale Price|50% Off
H 25.6 in W 22.25 in D 2.37 in
18th Century French Pastel Portrait of a Young Woman
Located in Buisson, FR
Nice pastel portrait representing a young woman. Wonderful weathered wooden frame and its old glass, France, 18th century. Weathered, small losses.
Wood, Paper
Portrait of a Young Lady, 18th Century
Located in Norwood, NJ
18th century continental portrait of a young lady, unsigned. Oil on canvas, oval painting and stretcher set in rectangular gilt frame.
Gold Leaf
Portrait of Duchess of Bolton after Sir Godfrey Kneller
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Oil-on-canvas portrait of Lady Henrietta Crofts, Duchess of Bolton and daughter of the Duke of Monmouth, standing three-quarter length in white silk ...
Canvas