The History of Queen Anne Style Furniture
Queen Anne style furniture became popular by 1705 and was named after Queen Anne of England. Gone was the rigidity of the past and in its place was elegant furniture that broke away from the heaviness of traditional dark, thick wood of the time. The design that most distinguishes Queen Anne furniture is a carved scallop shell or fan shape on top of such pieces as chairs, chests and slant top desks. Queen Anne style furniture is still being made today. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
By 1725, Queen Anne style furniture became popular in America. Furniture makers used a cabriole leg on chairs, tables and cupboards. The leg was thinner, hand-carved and curled at the bottom.
Significance
-
Before the Queen Anne style came into existence, the typical furniture of the time was heavy and made of dark woods. Queen Anne furniture was lighter, more comfortable and based on curvilinear angles, especially on the legs of the furniture.
-
Legs
-
The legs on Queen Anne furniture had an out-curved "knee" and an in-curved "ankle." The foot of the furniture was made from a Dutch foot or simple pad or what was called a drake foot--a carved bottom with three claws. Some furniture makers also used the Spanish foot, which had rectangular lines in the curve. Occasionally, pieces of Queen Anne furniture were painted white and gilded. Usually the wood was left varnished in its natural state or darkened with a stain before being varnished. The original furniture from England was made from oak and walnut.
Card Tables
-
Card tables or gaming tables were introduced in the Queen Anne style and became popular by the mid-18th century in America. They were used by most households for family fun and entertainment. The card tables were made from specially selected hardwood. Walnut was the preferred wood of choice used in America, followed by cherry and maple.
Tables
-
Tables were beautifully detailed, for they were on display at all times in the home. In a change from the older trestle tables, Queen Anne tables had tops made of two leaves of wood that were hinged together. The table top could fold in half to be placed against a wall when not in use. The tables had four or five legs, one of which was made to be collapsible or movable to support the table when fully opened.
Value
-
Queen Anne furniture is still popular today. Highly collectible pieces are those that were lacquered, such as the oriental design Queen Anne style furniture and Dutch marquetry cabinets with bombe sides, i.e., curving outward, and ornately detailed designs on the front. Antique museum-quality pieces can range from $1,000 to over $100,000. Reproductions sold at furniture stores are popular for people who want the Queen Anne look at an affordable price.
-
References
- Photo Credit queen anne style bench image by James Phelps from Fotolia.com
