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.
Antique Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk, Queen Anne Style, 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.
Walnut
Queen Anne Period Early 18th Century Walnut Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Absolutely Stunning Early 18th Century Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau, Or Writing Desk, In Good Untouched Condition Retaining Wonderful Rich Colour And Patina, Having Superbly Fi...
Walnut
$31,966 / item
Queen Anne Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
The secretary is a commanding example of early 18th-century English design, inspired by an original from around 1710. Finished in light rustic pollard burl oak, the figured veneers l...
Wood
$7,968Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Early 18th Century Queen Anne Burl Walnut Secretary Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Early 18th Century Queen Anne Burl Walnut Secretary Bookcase English Queen Anne Period Burl Walnut Secretary Desk and Bookcase, circa 1710 A fine 18th century English Queen Ann...
Brass
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid des...
Oak
$1,312Sale Price|25% Off
Queen Anne Secretary Desk 19th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
A 19th century Queen Anne secretary desk crafted in solid mahogany with flame mahogany detail. Fitted interior with pigeon hole and drawer storage...
Mahogany
Very Fine Compact Burl Wood Queen Ann Secretary Desk Bookcase Dresser Drawers
By Berkey & Gay Furniture, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Compact Burl Wood Queen Ann Secretary Desk Bookcase Dresser Drawers MINT!
Brass
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Queen Anne Revival Kneehole Desk, Burl Walnut, 1920s-1940s
Located in Trenton, NJ
A distinguished and well-proportioned kneehole pedestal desk in the Queen Anne revival manner, produced in the 1920s to 1940s during the sustained American and English enthusiasm for...
Wood
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut Bureau Bookcase with Mirrored Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut Bureau Bookcase with Mirrored Doors
Walnut
$2,096Sale Price|30% Off
Pennsylvania House Slant Front 4-Drawer Cherry Secretary Desk with Lock
Located in Germantown, MD
Pennsylvania House Slant Front Cherry Secretary Desk with Lock. Features four fully functional drawers with dovetail construction and Chippendale...
Brass
19th Century Queen Anne Style Double Bonnet Top Secretary Desk in Walnut
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Queen Anne style two part double bonnet secretary, its upper case with molded arched double cornice with conforming arched and glaze...
Brass
18th Century English Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Queen Anne period furnishings such as this walnut secretary are incredibly rare and important examples of English cabinetmaking. This secretary is of the most outstanding caliber, boasting desirable double bonnet, mirrored cabinet doors...
Walnut
Queen Anne Burl Walnut Escritoire
Located in Woodbury, CT
Queen Anne Escritoire in burl walnut. Top section features blind drawer to the upper frieze and a large fall that reveals pigeonholes, drawers and a leather inset surface. Numerous...
Brass
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental. Cartouche double arched top. Bevelled mirror doors. Bun Feet. ...
Hardwood
Queen Anne Bureau Bookcase in Inlaid Walnut, c. 1710
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Bureau Bookcase of the Queen Anne period. The frame constructed in walnut, with inlaid elm designs. The slanted fall-front opens to reveal a herringbone-inlaid arrangem...
Brass
Narrow 30" Wide 4 Drawers Slant Front Secretary Desk w/ Glass Doors Bookcase
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Narrow 30" Wide 4 Drawers Slant Front Secretary Desk w/ Glass Doors Bookcase MINT
Brass
Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front,...
Walnut
Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Embrace the timeless charm of this Classic Venetian Style Italian Polychrome Lacquered Hand-Painted two parts Bookcase, a piece of furniture that exudes both artistry and history. Th...
Wood, Paint
Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very well made and finished slant front secretary on four carved saber form legs with carved, scalloped apron. The case is fitted with a pair of long drawers, with gilt foliate form ...
Brass
$16,500
H 102 in W 45 in D 23 in
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front,...
Walnut
18th Century George III Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
A distinguished 18th-century George III mahogany astragal glazed bureau bookcase, also referred to as a secretary desk or writing cabinet, is crafted from rich plum pudding mahogany....
Mahogany
$14,950
H 98.5 in W 36.5 in D 21.5 in
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Figured Walnut Queen Anne Style Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique figured walnut Queen Anne style desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully construct...
Walnut
$7,046Sale Price|20% Off
H 62.21 in W 44.1 in D 23.23 in
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Baize, Mahogany
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful walnut secretary desk from 19th century France. The desk can be separated into two bodies: a lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The top cabinet ha...
Walnut, Leather, Glass
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A quality mahogany classic secretary bookcase made in two parts. The top cornice with a carved dentil frieze over double mullion glazed doors that open to two shelves. The lower case...
Brass
Sold
H 82.29 in W 41.74 in D 22.05 in
Antique Queen Anne Double Dome Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique Queen Anne Bureau Bookcase, Circa 1720 in age. It is surmounted with a lovely double-domed cornice with a furthe...
Brass
Queen Anne Secretary Desk, C. 1750
Located in Doylestown, PA
A Queen Anne period double dome secretary desk in walnut, circa 1750, with glass mullion doors, candle slides and fitted interior, above a bank of drawers with brass pulls and escutc...
Walnut
Sold
H 87 in W 40 in D 25 in
Wonderful Maitland Smith Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk Queen Anne Style
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Wonderful Maitland Smith Chinoiserie decorated secretary desk. Leather top writing surface that drops down. Fitted and decorated top section. Queen Anne style. Marked on back.
Wood
Sold
H 109 in W 50 in D 29 in
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black & Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black & Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk. It features the most wonderful hand painted, black and gold chinoiserie painted exterior with an equally ...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 71 in W 19 in D 34 in
Vintage Cresent Queen Anne Style Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful Queen Anne style secretary desk and bookcase by Cresent Manufacturing Company, circa 1970s. Made from cherry with a natural distre...
Glass, Cherry
Queen Anne Walnut Dome Top Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two piece Queen Anne walnut dome top secretary with two arched mirrored doors opening to an upper compartment with six valanced open cubbies ...
Brass
Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Magnificent decorated black with raised gilt chinoiserie broken arch bonnet top secretary desk with exquisite hand painted landscape scenery on fr...
Wood
Queen Anne Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
A beautiful piece reputedly purchased by the previous owner from Kentshire Antiques in New York for 185,000 in the 1980s. With flat top over a pair...
Wood, Giltwood
Sold
H 99.5 in W 41.5 in D 24 in
18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut and Burl Secretary with 7 Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in England circa 1720, and made of walnut and burl, this elegant antique secretary is built in two sections; the upper section boasting a desirable bonnet Top is decorated wi...
Leather, Mercury Glass, Walnut, Burl
English 18th Century Walnut Bureau
Located in London, GB
This elegant desk was made in England in the 18th century. Crafted from walnut, it has a lovely patina. This piece offers great storage, with several drawers and compartments i...
Walnut
Queen Anne English Burled Walnut Bureau, c. 1730
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite early 18th century bureau bookcase is finely crafted in the Queen Anne style with dramatic form and burled walnut veneered ...
Bronze
Sold
H 85 in W 45 in D 25.5 in
English Mahogany Two-Part Mirrored Secretary with Elaborate Upper Case c 1750-60
Located in Milford, NH
A spectacular English mahogany two part secretary, its upper case with shaped cornice surmounting two conforming beveled mirror doors, opening to an elaborate compartmentalized inter...
Brass