There are a number of leg styles that were used for 19th-century antique furniture. This article looks at two of the most common leg styles and the characteristics of each. Read on to discover more about the Adam and Bobbin Leg Styles. They have different characteristics and are often used for dining room tables and occasional furniture.
19th-century antique furniture leg styles
Many 19th-century antique furniture pieces have distinctive leg styles. Some are simple and plain, while others are elaborately decorated. A few of these styles are described below. These are often found on console tables, hall tables, dining chairs, tub chairs, and occasional furniture. They are produced from mahogany, ebonized wood, and painted wood.
One of the most common leg styles is the cabriole leg, with outward-curving knees and ankles and a decorative foot. This style is associated with Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture. It was also used in French Rococo pieces. The foot of this style can be either pad-shaped or club-shaped.
Another popular 19th-century antique furniture leg style is the spiral leg. This style is thought to have originated in India and spread throughout Europe in the 17th century. It was popular during the Restoration and William and Mary periods and was revived in the mid-19th century.
Characteristics Of 19th antique Furniture Leg Styles
The legs on many pieces of 19th-century antique furniture have distinctive shapes. They tend to be straight with small, tapered feet. They were often inlaid with natural materials such as silver, copper, and abalone shells. The fluted leg style is reminiscent of ancient Greek columns. It was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially in Regency-style pieces.
Another leg style commonly found on 19th-century antique furniture is the cabriole. Unlike many other styles, the cabriole has a curving ankle and knee, resulting in a decorative foot. These legs are typically associated with Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture, but they were also used on furniture from the mid-19th century.
Leg styles on 19th-century antique furniture vary based on the country where the furniture was made. Some pieces are made of wood, while others are carved out of walnut or metal. Many pieces with leg styles characteristic of the Louis XV style are popular on 1stDibs. Prices for these pieces vary, but they generally cost around $3,850.
Adam Leg Style
If you’re planning to restore a piece of 19th-century antique furniture, you should consider using the Adam Leg Style. This style works well with a variety of designs and hardware. Using this style will give you more options and avoid mismatched hardware. Here are a few examples of pieces with this style:
The Adam leg style was named for the 18th-century furniture designer Robert Adam. The legs are usually the same width along the length and end in a slightly rounded foot. The legs are also often ornamented with schoolwork or intricate carving. Intricate carvings on the side and bottom quarters of a piece will also help you identify this style.
Adam-style furniture was originally created by the Adam brothers in Scotland. They sought to improve upon the traditional neoclassical style by incorporating straight lines and curves from Greek and Roman architecture. They were also looking for a way to differentiate their creations from the Georgian and Chippendale styles of the day.
Bobbin Leg Style
The Bobbin Leg Style of furniture is a popular style found in late 17th and early 18th-century antique pieces. These legs often feature small lathe scrolling on their sides and may also have squared or rounded sections. This style was originally made popular in the late 17th century but remained popular well into the nineteenth century.
This style is believed to have originated in India. It later traveled west to Europe and became popular in England around 1660. It was common in William and Mary and Restoration furniture. Later, the style enjoyed another resurgence in Federal and Empire pieces. This style is also found in many contemporary pieces.
The Bobbin Leg Style is the most common type of leg in late 17th and early 19th-century furniture. This style is usually made of very high-quality wood and features intricately carved designs. Three sides of the leg will have a vertical run, while the other side will taper inward, roughly halfway down the leg’s height. The legs are typically attached with bolts or nuts. Lock washers can be added to prevent the bolts from coming loose with vibrations.
Baluster Leg Style
Antique furniture legs are often divided into two categories: baluster and bobbin. The former style resembles the balusters used in staircases and railings and has a simple scrolling detail at the top and bottom quarters. The latter style is more common in reproductions and is characterized by a more elaborate style of scrolling.
The Baluster leg style is the most common type of leg used on a 19th century antique furniture, although it can also be a great choice for new pieces. This style has a distinct look, and it is not hard to recognize in a piece of furniture. The legs are straight and often have a small taper near the foot. These legs are also quite common on accent tables, highboys, and accent tables. They can fit in with most modern interior design schemes.
The term “baluster” is a Latin word derived from the Italian Valastro. It is also derived from the Greek balaustium. This style was popular in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Cabriole Leg Style
Cabriole legs are a popular style of leg that has an outward-curve knee and an inward-curve ankle and often ends with an ornate foot. Originally used in the early to mid-18th century, this style was heavily copied in the Edwardian and early 20th centuries. There are two basic types of Cabriole legs: the Plain Cabriole Leg and the Carved Cabriole Leg.
Cabochon legs are very similar to baluster legs. They feature horizontal embellishments created with a lathe. They are common in late 17th-century furniture and are reminiscent of the balusters used on staircase railings. They may also feature squared sections, similar to balusters.
The Adam leg style is named after the 18th-century furniture designer Robert Adam. It has a similar width to the apron and typically ends in a slightly rounded foot. These legs may also feature intricate carvings along the sides of the leg. Bobbin legs, on the other hand, have horizontal spool-shaped embellishments created with a lathe. The bottom and top quarters of these legs are usually squared.
Flemish Scroll Leg
The Flemish Scroll Leg is a distinctive design that has its signature scroll shape at each end. The scrolls are arranged in opposite directions and are very popular in the baroque period. These styles were popularized by Gerrit Jensen, who designed cabinets for King Charles II. Also called double or S-scroll legs, these legs can add classic elegance to your room. They are also widely used in small tables.
The cabriole leg was also popular during the Victorian era. These legs are distinctive due to their curving design, mimicking the leg of an animal. The cabriole leg can support a heavy case piece of furniture without requiring stretchers or casters. Its versatility meant that it was used on a wide range of furniture, from chairs to desks. It is also associated with Chippendale furniture.
Another common leg style is the fluted leg. These legs have rounded channels and grooves. This style was inspired by Greek columns and thrived in the second half of the 18th century and the early 19th century. It can be fluted or needed and is most often used in 19th-century classical revival furniture. Jacobean legs are generally plain, and block-shaped, but some of them are shaped like a melon.
Conclusion
There are many different leg styles for antique furniture from the 19th century. The earliest examples of this style date from the 17th century, when they were popular in William and Mary furniture, and gained popularity again in the mid-19th century with the Renaissance Revival style. These leg styles are characterized by their spiral shape that curves upward and inward. They are also sometimes referred to as knurl feet and are typically found on cabriole legs.
