These Are 9 Examples of Antique Furniture Leg Styles (2024)

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• 01 of 09

  Cabriole Leg

  

  Cabriole refers to a popular furniture leg with the knee curving outward and the ankle curving inward terminating in an ornamental foot. It is commonly associated with Queen AnneandChippendalestyles of antique furniture along with and many reproduction pieces that combine various styles.

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  When used withChippendale furniture, thecabriole legcommonly terminates with aball and claw foot. In Queen Anne examples, the pad foot was popular,but otherfoot styleswere used with these legs as well.

• 02 of 09

  Flemish Scroll Leg

  

  This style of carved furniture leg is characterized by scrolls at the top and the bottom, often spiraling in opposite directions. It was developed in the second half of the 17th century and is featured in late Baroque furniture styles such as Restoration andWilliam and Mary. It was also usedin the work of Gerrit Jensen who designed pieces for King Charles II.

  These are also referenced asdouble scroll legs and S-scroll leg (a variation is when the section between the scrolls is curved).

• 03 of 09

  Fluted Leg

  

  In this type of furniture leg, a series of rounded channels or grooves are carved vertically into a straight leg at regular intervals. The fluted leg was modeled after ancient Greek columns, and it flourished in the Neoclassical styles of the second half of the 18th century such asHepplewhitealong with19th-century Classical Revival styles.

  It is similar to a reeded leg, except that fluted channels are concave (compared to convex or raised).

• 04 of 09

  Marlborough Leg

  

  This is a straight, square, substantial furniture leg that is usually plain, but sometimes has fluted carving. The Marlborough leg typically terminates in a block foot, though can be footless as well. Some versions are slightly tapered.

  These legs are typical of mid-18th century English and American furniture and are often featured in later Chippendale styles, especially chairs, tables (as shown here), sofas, and bedsteads.

  Continue to 5 of 9 below.

• 05 of 09

  Reeded Leg

  

  This type of furniture leg, in which a series of rounded ridges or grooves are carved vertically at regular intervals, is modeled after ancient Greek and Roman motifs. They flourished in the later Neoclassical, Regency, and Empire styles that developed around the turn of the 19th century. The reeded leg is often seen inSheratondesigns. These are similar to fluted legs, except that the reeds are convex (as opposed to concave).

  The popularity of reeded legs surpassed those of fluted legs as the 18th century gave way to the 19th century.

• 06 of 09

  Saber Leg

  

  The saber style is a type of splayed furniture leg flaring out in a concave shape like a saber or curved sword. It can be round or squared and often gradually tapers. These are usually found on a chair, stool, or sofa.

  Dating from antiquity—examples have been found on Greek klismos chairs—it underwent a revival among late 18th-century designers such asSheraton and flourished in Regency and Empire furniture. They are sometimes referenced assabre legs or splayed legs as well.

• 07 of 09

  Spider Leg

  

  Spider legs are delicate, thin curved legs, usually extending below a round table top in a group of three or four. They typically end in spade feet or no feet. Found on many late 18th-century and early 19th-century candlestands,tea tables,and other light, portable pieces.

  Spider legs can also be slim, straight legs found on gatefold tables. The thin supports enabling swinging out to expand the table easily. This variation dates from the early 18th century and often ends in pad feet. Both types of spider legs remain enduringly popular to the present.

• 08 of 09

  Spiral Leg

  

  This extremely old style of furniture leg resembles a twisted rope. It is thought to have originated in India, and the style traveled westward across Europe in the mid-17th century to Portugal, Holland, and then England where it flourished from around 1660 to about 1703.

  These legs are especially characteristic of Restoration andWilliam and Maryfurniture, but they enjoyed a comeback 100 years later in late Empire and Federal pieces. It was revived yet again in the mid-19th century and used on many Victorian furniture pieces. Sprial legs are sometimes referenced asspiral-twist or barley-twist (especially in England).

  Continue to 9 of 9 below.

• 09 of 09

  Trumpet Leg

  

  This is a type of turned furniture leg, fairly thick with multiple curves, flares upward and outward from a narrow base to actually resemble an upturned trumpet. The top is often capped with a dome, and the end often terminates in aball foot,bun foot,orSpanish foot.

  It is typical of Baroque styles, especially English Restoration andWilliam and Mary, and usually appears in accent tables,highboys,and lowboyswith the legs connected by aserpentine stretcher. These are also known astrumpet-turned legs.