Identifying Antique Table Leg Styles

The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a.

Identifying antique table leg styles.

William and mary 1690 1735. 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. This is relatively easy to identify for collectors. 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. Early georgian furniture is based on queen anne. How a piece is constructed is a common measure of age. Look at this leg.

The back consists of multiple thin spindles that connect to a solid sculpted wooden seat and an arched or straight top piece. 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. Queen anne style furniture emerged during the reign of william iii of england. 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.

William and mary style furniture was popular in the late 17th and early 18th century and is characterized by dutch and chinese influences trumpet turned legs spanish ball feet and oriental lacquer work. The gothic revival 1840 1860. Leg and foot styles. You should look at the screws nails wood joining and hardware.

Early 17th century furniture typically featured bun or ball style feet. De agostini picture library getty images. 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. Bandy legged refers to the cabriole leg or curved leg found on colonial furniture.

15 british furniture styles. 2006 publications international chair and table legs exhibit many of the features that distinguish furniture styles. More antique chair styles. Pair of gueridon tables from louis xvi style second empire.

The back tilts in a slightly reclined shape and the straight legs splay outwards from one another. A major telling feature of antique chairs starts from the floor and goes up. Later styles show classic influence. How to identify antique chairs.

The leg is usually a good indicator of type. Leg shapes help define the style and period to which the chair belongs.