Identifying Antique Table Leg Styles

One of the best ways to identify an antique style is by observing the piece s legs and feet.

Identifying antique table leg styles.

You should look at the screws nails wood joining and hardware. The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a. 2006 publications international chair and table legs exhibit many of the features that distinguish furniture styles. 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.

More antique chair styles. Chippendale and queen anne chairs typically have an s curved cabriole leg with a knee and in curved ankle. The leg is usually a good indicator of type. How a piece is constructed is a common measure of age.

Turrets pointed arches and quatrefoils designs found in 12th through 16th centuries that were adapted to this mid century furniture style. De agostini picture library getty images. Determining the age of antique furniture is not an exact science but there are certain indicators of age evident in furniture. 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.

Bandy legged refers to the cabriole leg or curved leg found on colonial furniture. 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. The back tilts in a slightly reclined shape and the straight legs splay outwards from one another.

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. Look at this leg. 15 british furniture styles. 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.

Leg and foot styles. A major telling feature of antique chairs starts from the floor and goes up. This is relatively easy to identify for collectors. How to identify antique chairs.

Early georgian furniture is based on queen anne. Leg shapes help define the style and period to which the chair belongs. Later styles show classic influence. Pair of gueridon tables from louis xvi style second empire.

Queen anne style furniture emerged during the reign of william iii of england. The gothic revival 1840 1860.