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.
Queen Anne Style Mahogany Washstand with Glass Bowl
Located in Germantown, MD
A Queen Anne Style Mahogany Washstand with Glass Bowl. Also used as a plant stand . Measures 20" in width, 20" in depth and 32" in height.
Mahogany, Glass
English Queen Anne Style Gilt Chinoiserie Fernery, Bombe Form, Antique
Located in Queens, NY
English Queen Anne style gilt & black lacquered Chinoiserie decorated fernery of bombe form on turned legs joined by a stretcher (late 19th/early 20th Cent)
Giltwood, Paint
$12,000 / set
H 29.75 in Dm 22.25 in
Pair of English Cast Iron and Powered Coated Campana-Form Garden Urns, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English cast iron and powered coated campana-form garden urns with an exterior intertwined grape vine frieze, flanking figural lion side handles, and resting on gadrooned circular squared plinths, Mid- 19th century. Pair have been powder coated Charleston green...
Iron
$2,235
H 11.42 in W 17.33 in D 18.51 in
Antique Patinated Terracotta Planter or Garden Pot Seashell Form, 1920´s Sweden
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful planter or garden pot in patinated terracotta made in Sweden in the early 20th century.
Terracotta
Fine Repousse Patinated Metal Bowl
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine large sise repousse patinated. Metal bowl. 20th century. Together with a group of nut and moss pomander balls. Height 10 in. Diameter 29 in. Provenance: Property from a Pr...
$400Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 27 in Dm 18.75 in
China Vintage Big Gold Fish & Birds Planter Bowl with Stand, Vibrant Colors
Located in South Burlington, VT
Glistening and glazed ceramic form gold fish bowl or planter comes complete with its original hardwood display stand which perfectly complements this pl...
Ceramic, Wood
Antique English Brass Bamboo Planter, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Brass Bamboo Planter, Circa 1890.
Brass
English Compton Pottery Large Celtic Style Terracotta Planter
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English Compton Pottery Celtic style terracotta pot or planter dating from the early 20th century. With its spectacular red colour and Art Nouveau style...
Terracotta
Chinese Enamel and French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Jardinière
Located in London, GB
Chinese enamel and French gilt bronze Chinoiserie jardinière The enamel Chinese and the gilt bronze French, 19th century Measures: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 30cm. This Chin...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$1,895
H 29.75 in W 26.44 in D 11.75 in
French Standing Console Planter or Trough of Mahogany with Metal Liner
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French standing console jardiniere or planter trough of mahogany and beech wood with original metal liner. Featuring a rectangular two-tiered frame with four turned legs - the...
Metal
$970
H 20.5 in W 31 in D 13.25 in
20th C. Georgian Style Chinoiserie Tole Jardinière with Hand‐Painted Gilt Scenes
Located in Morristown, NJ
A striking oval tole jardinière in fine Georgian‑style, featuring a glossy black lacquer base accented with hand‐painted gilt chinoiserie village and swan scenes framed in red accent...
Metal
$5,200 / set
H 18.5 in W 23 in D 23 in
Antique Chinoiserie Large Blue White Terracotta 23" Jardiniere Planter Pot Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Chinoiserie Large Blue & White Flower Design Terracotta 23" Outdoor Jardinièr...
Terracotta
$665Sale Price|33% Off
H 28.5 in Dm 21 in
Maitland Smith Regency Style Mahogany Carved Dolphin Jardinière Plant Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Maitland Smith jardinière plant stand. Made from mahogany with a tripod carved delphin base over reeded bun feet and a reticulated planter top. Dimensions: 19.5" ...
Mahogany
Unavailable|$850
H 18 in W 27 in D 15 in
Italian Red Tole Chinoiserie Gilt Decorated Floor Jardiniere Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian Red Tole Chinoiserie Gilt Decorated Floor Jardiniere Planter. Circa 21st Century, Pre-owned. Measurements: 18" H x 27" W x 15" D.
Metal
Vintage Mahogany Queen Anne Style Copper Lined Wooden Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mahogany Queen Anne Style Copper Lined Wooden Planter. Item features a copper lined interior, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, original stamp to bottom (Jamaica...
Wood
Pair of Early 20thc Mahogany Plant Stands with Drawers & Copper Pots
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and elegant pair of mahogany Plant stands with each having a drawer and decorative urn. Hand crafted at the turn of the century in England, possib...
Mahogany, Lacquer