Definitions for "Cabriole leg"
Keywords:  anne, chair, ankle, goat, chippendale
popular in the 18th century, the design of a furniture leg based on a curved animal`s leg.
A form of chair or table leg which appeared in England from France in the early 18th century. It is in the shape of a long slow "S", the outward curve of the knee sometimes decorated. Many of the earlier examples ended in stylized goat feet with later examples ending in pad feet, slipper feet or claw and ball feet.
A curved leg with an out-curved knee and an in-curved ankle resembling an inverted S. In all the styles that feature cabriole legs, the excellence of the leg is an indicator of the quality of the whole design of the furniture piece. A good flowing line that conforms to the grain of the wood is much more pleasing to the eye than an excessive curving line that breaks the vertical quality of the entire piece.