Queen Anne Side Chair Pair
A queen anne side chair pair brings early eighteenth-century elegance into a room with characteristic pad feet and spooned splats.
Queen Anne Side Chair Pair
A queen anne side chair pair consists of matching seating pieces produced during the eighteenth century or later revival periods, built primarily for dining rooms and parlours. You will frequently encounter walnut and oak examples alongside later mahogany and lacquered interpretations from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The form typically relies on a distinct vase-shaped splat and cabriole legs terminating in pad or club feet. These matched sets range from early eighteenth-century originals to revival pieces created around nineteen-twenty.
Beyond standard dining heights, the selection occasionally encompasses children's chairs, high back chairs, and gossip chairs. The defining characteristic remains the matched pair format, designed symmetrically for formal placement.
What varies in quality
The degree of figuration in timber selection separates standard examples from exceptional ones, particularly when burr walnut or rich mahogany is utilised. Crispness in the carving of shell motifs on the knees and the graceful sweep of the splat dictate the visual success of the silhouette.
Originality of the frame construction and the preservation of early surface patination hold significant weight among collectors. Later revival interpretations rely heavily on the fidelity of their proportions and the quality of hand-applied finishes.
Queen Anne Side Chair Pair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for queen anne side chair pair 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 oak, walnut, burr walnut, and mahogany timbers alongside textile, leather, and tapestry upholstery.
Charles Tozer·Whytock and Reid of Edinburgh
The Queen Anne Side Chair Pair Glossary
- Cabriole leg
- A furniture leg featuring a double curve, bulging outward at the knee and tapering inward toward the foot. This form mimics animal limbs and defines the aesthetic of the period.
- Splat
- The central vertical strip of wood down the middle of a chair back. In these designs, it takes a vase or fiddle shape.
- Pad foot
- A simple, rounded foot at the base of a cabriole leg that sits flat on the floor without a separate shoe. It represents a common termination on early walnut examples.
- High back chair
- A seating form featuring an elongated backrest that extends well above the seat level. These pieces offer a more formal vertical presence.
Queen Anne Side Chair Pair: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spot an original eighteenth-century pair?
Examine the timber shrinkage, construction joints, and underside framing for signs of age and tool marks consistent with early hand-working methods.
Compare the patination of the wood surfaces across both chairs to ensure the pair has remained together historically without mismatched components.
Are revival pieces considered authentic antiques?
Revival items date from later periods like the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and reflect the historical revival tastes of those eras. While not originating in the seventeen-hundreds, they possess their own age and craftsmanship value.
Distinguishing between original and revival pieces relies on identifying period-specific hardware, secondary woods, and manufacturing techniques.
Where should I place these in my home?
These chairs function effectively as flanking elements in a dining room, hallway, or drawing room due to their matching symmetrical design.
Keep them away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to protect vulnerable polished wooden surfaces and antique textiles.
What upholstery materials are most appropriate?
Historical examples frequently utilise leather, silk, tapestry, or woven textiles secured over drop-in frames. Selecting complementary period-appropriate fabrics maintains the character of the seating.
Consult traditional upholstery methods if re-covering is necessary to preserve the internal webbing and padding structure.