Identifying Antique Table Leg Styles

Determining the age of antique furniture is not an exact science but there are certain indicators of age evident in furniture.
Identifying antique table leg styles. You should look at the screws nails wood joining and hardware. Early georgian furniture is based on queen anne. The back consists of multiple thin spindles that connect to a solid sculpted wooden seat and an arched or straight top piece. It s shapely curves identify it as a cabriole pronounced cab ree ole leg and that type of leg was first introduced in the 18th century.
The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a. Chippendale and queen anne chairs typically have an s curved cabriole leg with a knee and in curved ankle. The back tilts in a slightly reclined shape and the straight legs splay outwards from one another. This is relatively easy to identify for collectors.
De agostini picture library getty images. 15 british furniture styles. Turrets pointed arches and quatrefoils designs found in 12th through 16th centuries that were adapted to this mid century furniture style. Leg styles are key not only to the appearance and functionality of pieces but they can also be used to successfully identify many types of antique furniture furniture legs can provide clues to when a piece was manufactured especially when considering how they are used in conjunction with foot styles.
Queen anne style furniture emerged during the reign of william iii of england. Leg shapes help define the style and period to which the chair belongs. A major telling feature of antique chairs starts from the floor and goes up. The leg is usually a good indicator of type.
Bandy legged refers to the cabriole leg or curved leg found on colonial furniture. But a leg can tell you when a style was first introduced and that is one important step in identifying an antique s age and period. Often called chair tables the tops flip up and lock so that the tabletop is the seat back and the base is the seat the base often has a drawer for storage thus the reference to hutch in its name. One of the best ways to identify an antique style is by observing the piece s legs and feet.
It is one of the few styles that celebrates elements found in the corresponding architectural themes. William and mary 1690 1735. How to identify antique chairs. Pair of gueridon tables from louis xvi style second empire.
Look at this leg. More antique chair styles. Early 17th century furniture typically featured bun or ball style feet. How a piece is constructed is a common measure of age.
Later styles show classic influence. Leg and foot styles.