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.
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
Rosemary P Jackson (American 20th C.), After Renoir, Young Girls at the Piano
Located in Germantown, MD
Rosemary Pipkin Jackson (American 20th Century), After Pierre Auguste Renoir, Jeunes Filles au Piano. (Young Girls at the Piano), Needlework Panel, Signed and Framed, 1995. Original ...
Cotton
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III
Located in Queens, NY
English engravings of medals associated with King William III in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III and Queen Mary
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III and Queen Mary in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III and Queen Mary
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III and Queen Mary in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III in a dark brown matted gilt frame
English engraving of Medals associated with King William III
Located in Queens, NY
English engraving of medals associated with King William III in a dark brown matted gilt frame
$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
Antique Swedish Oil Portrait of Gentleman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsome oil portrait of gentleman signed by unknown artist L. Frida (abbreviated).
Paint
$188Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.18 in D 0.02 in
Rare Antique Print of Various Medals of Sweden & Norway ‘III’ , 1843
Located in Langweer, NL
Plate 46: 'Zweden en Noorwegen'. Seraphijnen Orde. This print originates from ‘Geschiedkundige beschrijving der oudere en nieuwere, thans bestaande Ridderorden. - Afbeeldingen der Ri...
Paper
$1,766
H 31.89 in W 24.02 in D 1.19 in
Napoleon Crossing the Alps, Oil on Porcelain, 20th Century, After David
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon crossing the Alps. Oil on porcelain. 20th century, following the models of Jacques-Louis David (1801-1805). Oil painting on porc...
Other
$4,500
H 44 in W 35 in D 2 in
19 Century English Portrait of an Aristocratic Gentleman in the Manner of Rubens
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A 19th C three quarter length portrait of an aristocratic gentleman with his personal valet shown behind him. The young man with flowing long hair is portrayed from the waist up and ...
Canvas
18th Century Pair of English Engravings
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb pair of 18th century English engravings.
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
George Washington Engraving by H. B. Hall, after William Birch
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome engraved portrait of George Washington by artist H. B. Hall. This engraving was published in New York, in a limited edition of 125 impressions. The engraving is based on a painting by William Birch Gilbert Stuart, a small miniature in enamel, completed in 1796. Birch painted Washington from life in his office in Philadelphia, by the request of I. G. Van Staphorst, Esqr. of Amsterdam. In the small portrait, Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, facing right. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat. The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Paper
$260Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 14 in W 15.375 in D 1 in
Pair of English Etchings and Engravings by William Grainger, c. 1802-04
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of etchings and engravings on laid paper by William Grainger (1765–1809), after William Hamilton. Death of General Wolfe at the Siege of Quebec: The general is sitting up, supported by an officer kneeling beside him, as another runs towards them in grief, the battle raging behind; from Lyttleton's 'History of England' (London 1803-05). Published by J Stratford, London, Holbern Hill, 1802. General Burgoyne Addressing the Indians at their War Feast in Canada: Burgoyne on horseback to right, accompanied by two officers on foot, talking with three Canadian Indian...
Paper
$588 / set
H 39.77 in W 28.35 in D 2.37 in
Pair of panels, Dancers. Molded alabaster. 20th century, after CANOVA, Ant
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of panels, Dancers. Molded alabaster. 20th century, inspired by CANOVA, Antonio (1757-1822). Pair of reliefs with frames made of alabaster molded with polychrome, inspired by t...
Other
Gentleman Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a portrait painting of a gentleman with a red beard in a blue suit
Paint
$2,400
H 22.5 in W 18.5 in D 1.5 in
American School Portrait, Distinguished Gentleman (“Mr. Wilson”), c. 1835–1845
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American School Portrait of a Distinguished Gentleman (“Mr. Wilson”), c. 1835–1845, Apparently Unsigned Dimensions Canvas: 14" × 18" Frame: 18.5" × 22.5" × 2" A finely painted Ame...
Canvas, Giltwood
Sold
H 48.43 in W 42.52 in D 4.73 in
Royal circa 1707-1714 Hand Carved Polychrome Painted Armorial Crest Coat of Arms
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, large for its type, Royal coat of arms / Armorial Crest circa 1707-1714 with original Polychrome paint This is an exceptionally we...
Wood
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
Engraving of H.M.S. Grande Bretagne by A. Roublard after Isaac Sailmaker.
Located in Downingtown, PA
The large hand-coloured engraving by Roublard of HMS Grande Bretagne depicts numerous battleships at sea. Below is the following inscription: A l...
Engraving of H.M.S. Blenheim By A. Roublard after Isaac Sailmaker.
By Isaac Sailmaker
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dated 1704 The early 18th-century engraving depicts the HMS Blenheim. In 1709 Blenheim was rebuilt at Woolwich Dockyard, remaining a 90-gun second rate. She continued to serve...