While Queen Anne ruled from 1702 to 1714, the furniture bearing her name was primarily produced from the 1720s until the 1760s.

To begin, the style was named for Queen Anne, but the years in which she reigned don’t actually correlate to Queen Anne furniture production. From cabriole legs to “Japanning,” this is Queen Anne furniture 101.Ī royal story always has its fair share of juice, and the story of Queen Anne furniture is no exception. To shed more light on Queen Anne furniture (which is often overshadowed by its heir, Chippendale furniture), we’re delving into both the history of Queen Anne furniture, along with a run-down of its signature attributes. A name applied to elegant, doe-legged furniture constructed throughout the 18th Century, Queen Anne furniture is about as traditional as it gets, but thanks to its graceful-but-simple forms, it maintains an accessibility that lends it to both formal and eclectic interiors alike. It might not top the list of those pieces that are “having a moment,” but in our hearts of hearts, we’ll always save a place for Queen Anne style furniture.

THE ROYAL HISTORY OF QUEEN ANNE FURNITURE Our tip? Make sure to display them in spaces with plenty of leg room.

With a focus on sweet, feminine curves, Queen Anne armoires feature bonnet tops and chairs showcase those curvy cabriole legs that end in paw-like feet. The Queen Anne style first originated in 18th Century England under the reign of Queen Anne, but a more recent revival took place at the end of the 19th Century as the Victorian aesthetic was being ushered in. While Queen Anne style is an undeniably prim and proper, a second look reveals it’s actually all about showing a little leg.

Small rectangle dining table queen anne