Baluster legs

Lathe-turned or carved legs with decorative profiles. Vase, urn, spindle, and ring shapes are common.

Also called turned legs.

Sabre legs

Tapering legs shaped in a slight convex curve, similar to that of a cavalry sabre. The edges of the legs may be rounded or squared.

Also called klismos legs, scimitar legs or Waterloo legs.

Cabriole legs

S-curved, tapering legs, usually with a pronounced convex shape above a less pronounced concave shape. The cabriole shape was popularized by William Hogarth in 1753 as the "line of beauty" and is associated with the Queen Anne style.

Also called bandy legs, bowed legs, or cabrioles.

Stump legs

Squared, somewhat thick rear legs on a piece with more decorative front legs. Stump legs do not have distinct feet, but the bottom of the leg may have a slight outward flare or cant.

Marlborough legs

Squared, straight legs. The inside edge of the leg may be chamfered, or cut away to produce a narrow, flat surface instead of a sharp edge. See also therm legs.

Also called rectangular legs, square legs, or straight legs.

Therm legs

Squared legs that taper from top to bottom. The inside edge of the leg may be chamfered, or cut away to produce a narrow, flat surface instead of a sharp edge. See also Marlborough legs.

Also called tapered legs.

Curule legs

Curved, x-shaped supports mounted side to side or front to back. The legs are shaped to appear as a convex curve mounted directly on top of a concave curve. Curule legs are associated with Empire and other classically inspired styles.

Also called cross legs or Grecian cross legs.