Queen Anne Wall Decorations
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.
Early 1700s English Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Wood
18th Century British Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Canvas
Late 18th Century Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Wood
1880s Italian Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Canvas
19th Century Swedish Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Paint
1790s European Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Walnut, Pine
Early 19th Century British Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood, Birdseye Maple, Paint
19th Century French Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Walnut
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Oak
18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
1890s French Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Wood, Oak, Paint
Early 1700s English Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Canvas
Early 18th Century British Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
Early 18th Century English Antique Queen Anne Wall Decorations
