Queen Anne Lowboy Value Guide

This American Queen Anne lowboy, dating from 1730 to 1760, represents the transition of English elegance into colonial craftsmanship. Highly collectible for its signature cabriole legs and understated grace, this oak dressing table served as a sophisticated storage solution for 18th-century bedrooms.

What affects the value of Queen Anne Lowboy?

• The preservation of the original finish on the oak wood significantly impacts the $1,500-$1,800 valuation.
• Presence of original 18th-century brass pulls and escutcheons rather than modern replacements.
• The complexity of the hand-carved details on the legs and the symmetry of the drawer arrangements.
• Overall structural integrity and the absence of major restorative patches to the top surface or legs.

How to Identify Queen Anne Lowboy?

• Look for the characteristic cabriole legs ending in pad or drake feet, a hallmark of the 1730-1760 era.
• Examine the construction for authentic 18th-century joinery and the use of solid oak, common in American variations.
• Verify the presence of period-correct brass hardware, typically featuring batwing or willow-style plates.
• Check for the scalloped or valanced apron which distinguishes the lowboy's silhouette from later furniture styles.

History of Queen Anne Lowboy

The Queen Anne style of furniture, popular during the reign of Queen Anne in England (1702-1714), is known for its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and understated elegance. Lowboys, essentially smaller versions of dressing tables, served as practical pieces for bedrooms and drawing rooms, often featuring drawers for storage. While originating in England, the style quickly found its way to America, where colonial craftsmen adapted it to local tastes and available materials, leading to distinct American Queen Anne variations.