Encyclopedia of Antiques

Queen Anne

A good bit of the influence of the William and Mary period was carried over into the Queen Anne era—Anne was the sister of Mary. Her reign was brief, and actually the furniture styles could be considered transitional with a few exceptions. Strides were made in designing more comfortable chairs, and the cabriole leg with the pad foot was used. Cabriole leg design came from Holland and has a concaved ankle below the knee. Ladies of high fashion with wide skirts were better able to sit because of the many armless chairs. The armless chair was also helpful to the gentlemen, who had to take care with the arrangement of their tails. Younger men habitually sat backwards, with their arms crossed along the top of the chair. 

The reverse curve was used for more comfort in chairs—the curve conforming to the spine. Corners were rounded in the front, and the seats were narrower in the back. 

Tables were gate leg, drop leaf, and tilt top. The tea drinking and card playing encouraged the development and use of many smaller tables.
 Lowboys, highboys, and chests on chests of this period have similar characteristics, but one difference is in the base—that of the highboy is higher and wider. Queen Anne sofas were upholstered, beds were poster with wooden canopies, and cabinets and cupboards were more prevalent. Designs commensurate with the wishes of the reigning monarch came to an end with the Queen Anne period.
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