Queen Anne Demilune Table
These queen anne demilune table pieces are semicircular furniture items built for formal rooms, prized for their figured timber surfaces and clever folding tops.
Queen Anne Demilune Table
A queen anne demilune table is a semicircular item of furniture designed to sit flat against a wall, frequently doubling as a card table or side table. The examples available here span the eighteenth century, the early twentieth century revival period, and the 1920s and 1930s.
Most pieces encountered on this page belong to the Queen Anne style and Queen Anne revival movements, executed in rich walnut or mahogany. Makers combined console formats with foldover tops intended for games or tea.
The form adapts easily to hallways and drawing rooms, shifting between narrow side tables and functional card tables with folding leaves. Early Georgian and Chippendale revival influences also appear among the selections.
How they were made
Makers utilised walnut, burr walnut veneer, mahogany, and general timber, selecting figured grain patterns to create decorative surface movement on the semicircular tops. Brass fittings occasionally appear as hinges or drawer hardware on these folding designs.
Cabinetmakers constructed the foldover mechanisms and console bases using traditional joinery suited to the early eighteenth century and its later twentieth century revivals. Timber selection focused heavily on burr walnut veneers to achieve rich visual depth.
Queen Anne Demilune Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for queen anne demilune table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature pieces spanning the 18th Century, 1900, 1920, and 1930, utilising walnut, burr walnut, mahogany, and brass.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the choice of timber and the symmetry of the burr walnut veneer across the semicircular top. Superior examples display carefully matched grain patterns that flow evenly when the table is opened for card games.
The crispness of the Queen Anne style shaping on the legs and the tightness of the foldover mechanism distinguish finer pieces. Solid timber construction and balanced proportions separate better workshop output from simpler revival items.
The Queen Anne Demilune Table Glossary
- Demilune
- A half-moon or semicircular shape used for console and hall tables designed to stand flat against a wall. This format saves floor space while offering a decorative surface.
- Burr walnut
- A prized timber harvested from walnut tree growths, featuring swirling, knotted grain patterns. It is typically sliced into thin veneers for tabletop decoration.
- Foldover table
- A dual-purpose piece of furniture with a hinged top that opens to double its surface area. These were traditionally utilised for card games and tea drinking.
- Console table
- A wall-mounted or freestanding table supported by front legs, traditionally placed beneath mirrors or in entrance halls. The form emphasises decorative presentation.
- Early Georgian
- A design period spanning the reigns of the early eighteenth-century Georges, characterised by refined proportions and walnut turning. It forms the basis for later revival pieces.
Queen Anne Demilune Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a queen anne demilune table used for?
These tables function primarily as decorative console surfaces in hallways or living rooms. Many examples incorporate folding tops designed originally for card games or tea.
Their semicircular shape allows them to fit against walls without blocking walkways. When opened, the dual-surface top provides space for social gatherings.
How do I date a walnut console table?
Dating relies on examining the timber preparation, construction joints, and stylistic revival markers. Pieces from the eighteenth century show authentic period wear and hand-cut joinery.
Twentieth-century revival items from the 1900s to 1930s imitate earlier Queen Anne aesthetics. Machine-assisted cuts and twentieth-century hardware finishes help separate these later interpretations.
Are these tables sturdy enough for daily use?
The solid timber and walnut construction provide reliable everyday strength for holding lamps or decorative objects. Foldover leaves require gentle handling when opening and closing the hinge mechanisms.
Placing the table on level flooring protects the legs and keeps the top aligned. Regular care keeps the veneered surfaces stable over time.