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 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 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
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
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
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
$227
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
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
$1,707
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
$3,800 / set
H 26.5 in W 21.5 in D 1 in
Set of Six Neoclassical Style Etchings After Carlo Antonini. Italy, 20th Century
By Carlo Antonini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant set of six Italian Neoclassical-style etchings, dating to the Mid-20th century, depicting an assortment of classical urns, covered vases, and tazzas inspired by ancient Ro...
Other
Painting - Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Porto, PT
Painting - Portrait of a Gentleman. Mixed media on paper. Signed and dated 1978; signature unidentified. Dimensions: 29x20 cm.
Canvas
$1,109Sale 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
$4,950Sale Price|49% Off
H 39.5 in W 65 in D 2 in
W.S. Lacey ‘British, 19th-20th Century’ Oil on Canvas "Tall Ship at Sail"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W.S. Lacey (British, 19th-20th century) Large oil on canvas "Tall Ship at Sail" sailing by a lighthouse and next to two steam boats, within an eboniz...
Canvas, Wood
$3,186Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 37.01 in D 4.73 in
Monumental Handcrafted Copper American Eagle with Great Seal, Mid 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare monumental American Eagle wall sculpture in hand-hammered copper with the Great Shield of the United States. Mid 20th century. Likely commi...
Copper
Painting - Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Porto, PT
Painting - Portrait of a Gentleman. Oil on canvas; Portuguese school; 19th century. Relined. Dimensions: 68x51 cm
Canvas
Regency Portrait of a Gentleman, Very Stately, Handsome.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very nice Regency portrait of a handsome gentleman, unframed. Very Stately, Handsome.Please note we have a large selection of portrai...
Canvas
$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
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
18th Century Pair of English Engravings
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb pair of 18th century English engravings.
Pair of English Framed Equestrian Engravings
Located in Essex, MA
One is 27.25 x25 and other 28.63 x25. Image 16.5 x 20. With birds eye maple frames. Features horse winners at Doncaster races in England.
Glass, Birdseye Maple, Paper
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...