Regency Bookcases
REGENCY STYLE
Like France’s Empire style, Regency-style furniture was rooted in neoclassicism; the characteristics of its bedroom furniture, armchairs, dining room tables and other items include clean lines, angular shapes and elegant details.
Dating roughly from the 1790s to 1830s, antique Regency-style furniture gets its name from Prince George of Wales — formally King George IV — who became Prince Regent in 1811 after his father, George III, was declared unfit to rule. England’s Regency style is one of the styles represented in Georgian furniture.
George IV’s arts patronage significantly influenced the development of the Regency style, such as the architectural projects under John Nash, which included the renovation of Buckingham House into the formidable Buckingham Palace with a grand neoclassical facade. Celebrated designers of the period include Thomas Sheraton, Henry Holland and Thomas Hope. Like Nash, Hope instilled his work with classical influences, such as saber-legged chairs based on the ancient Greek klismos. He is credited with introducing the term “interior decoration” to English with the 1807 publishing of Household Furniture and Interior Decoration.
Although more subdued than previous styles like Rococo and Baroque, Regency interiors incorporated copious use of chintz fabrics and wallpaper adorned in chinoiserie-style art. Its furniture featured fine materials and luxurious embellishments. Furniture maker George Bullock, for instance, regularly used detailed wood marquetry and metal ornaments on his pieces.
Archaeological discoveries in Egypt and Greece informed Regency-era details, such as carved scrollwork, sphinxes and palmettes, as well as the shape of furniture. A Roman marble cinerary chest, for example, would be reinterpreted into a wooden cabinet. The Napoleonic Wars also inspired furniture, with martial designs like tented beds and camp-style chairs becoming popular. While the reddish-brown mahogany was prominent in this range of pieces, imported woods like zebrawood and ebony were increasingly in demand.
Find a collection of antique Regency tables, seating, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Regency
Regency Period Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A small elegant regency mahogany breakfront bookcase with ebony details and flame veneers to the door fronts, superb mellow colour and good patination. The lovely bookcase is in the ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
English Regency Style Oak Ball Finial Three Shelf Étagère
Located in New York, NY
English Regency style oak three shelf étagère with reeded ball finials and supports on casters.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Oak
19th Century Barbados Regency Cedrela Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
A circa 1820 bookcase from Barbados that reflects the West Indies/British Colonial style made from solid cedrela, featuring five shelves and pointed finials on top. This bookcase is published in a book documenting Caribbean antiques...
Category
1820s Bajan Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Cedar
Waterfall Bookcase
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A five-tier waterfall bookcase of tapering form with blind fret and open fret decoration, the ends inset with brass retaining rods. Finished in an a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Regency Period Lacquered Bookcase with Open Shelves
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An elegant Regency period black and gilt lacquered bookcase standing on square tapering legs with original castors. Decorated beautifully throughout with oriental designed lacquer. B...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Regency Period Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase, Designs by Thomas Hope
By Thomas Hope
Located in London, GB
A fine quality early 19th century Regency period fiddle-back mahogany secretaire bookcase, in the manner of Thomas Hope, having scrolled and anthemion carved cornice with central applied bronze plaque depicting classical heads. The bookcase, with ebony framed panels throughout, having geometric glazing bars above secretaire drawer and panelled cupboard doors below, supported on bold lion's paw feet.
The tragedy and comedy masks, represented on the top of the bookcase, are possibly designed by Thomas Hope. Hope represented a series of comic and tragic masks in his book “Household Furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th C English Regency Mahogany Library Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
An early 19th century Channel Island library bookcase or étagère features solid mahogany turnings, three shelves, a finished scalloped gallery, and two drawers on four bun feet wit...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Pair of 19th Century Regency Rosewood Open Bookshelves
Located in London, GB
A fine quality pair of early 19th century Regency period rosewood open bookshelves, having gilt brass columned superstructures mounted with pierced ga...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Bow Front Display China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
Located in Suwanee, GA
This a traditional mahogany bow front display or china cabinet with two doors by Leighton Hall. It features a delicately bowed front shape. The cabinet features two bottom doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and straight grain mahogany borders. The top two doors feature grills with individually paned glass. The hardware is solid brass. The cabinet has dimmable lighting. Each section has multiple adjustable 3/8 in. glass shelves. It has a hand rubbed satin finish.
This cabinet is an excellent compliment to our custom mahogany dining tables...
Category
2010s American Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Quality Open Bookcase, Regency Period, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A fine quality Regency period open bookcase, with three shelves.
The supports in form of scrolls, the base decorated with carved sphinxes all raised on a...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Wood
19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819 . Rare early 19th century Regency graduated lawyer’s bookcase cabinet . Tapered scale 13" depth to 17" at the base, which gives it a lot of charm and takes away the heavy look of some other bookcases.
All the original hardware still intact in lions head knobs with a ring This antique library bookcase has the original glass with one cracked that we never replace . Each shelf opens upward. 4 Regular size and the shelf on top of the Two lower drawers is for larger items to be exhibited and stored away.
Perfect for a library, lawyers office...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Wood
English Regency Mahogany Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
English Regency mahogany bookcase with 8 brass lattice doors and bronze classical Grecian heads.
Category
19th Century British Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Bronze
Late Regency Gonçalo Alves Two-Door Side Cabinet Attributed to Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Regency Gonçalo Alves two-door side cabinet firmly attributed to Gillows, of rectangular form with two glazed doors retaining the original brass trelliswork centred on rosette...
Category
1820s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Elegant Regency Rosewood Chiffonier, Great Form and Proportions
Located in Buchanan, MI
Elegant Regency rosewood chiffonier, great form and proportions. Two shelves with mirror back plate over two doors with brass grills. Great color and patination.
Category
19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chettle Open Bookcases
By Thomas Hope
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A pair of regency style mahogany open bookcases with reeded central, end pilasters and adjustable shelves all resting upon elegant torpedo design feet.
We are currently working to a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
English Regency Mahogany Glass Front and Satinwood Inlaid Book Case, Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency mahogany book case with an arched cornice, corner urn finials resting on oval floral satinwood inlaid plinths, centered satinwood in...
Category
1810s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Regency Style Mahogany Swivel Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Satinwood inlay
Category
Late 20th Century American Regency Bookcases
19th Century English Mahogany Writing Bookcase with Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A good Regency secretaire bookcase.
Constructed in mahogany, rising from feet of circular form, the lower section having two blind doors with fielded panels, enclosing a shelved i...
Category
19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Large Regency Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century large Regency mahogany bookcase, the moulded cornice above a pair of glazed doors with brass grilles of intricate form, opening to reveal four adjustable shelves, ...
Category
1820s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Waterfall Bookcase
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A pair of five-tier waterfall bookcase of tapering form with blind fret and open fret decoration, the ends inset with brass retaining rods. Finished...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Mahogany Regency Style Carved Griffin Bookcase Curio Stands Horner Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of Mahogany English Regency Style Carved Winged Griffin Whatnot Curio Stands in the R.J. Horner Style. The pair features finely detailed full figure...
Category
Early 20th Century Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Satinwood Regency Cabinet
Located in Stamford, CT
A magnificent satinwood Regency cabinet with fantastic mitered mullion doors set upon two door base cabinet.
Category
19th Century British Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Satinwood
19th century English Regency Mahogany Bookcase with Brass Grillwork
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th century English Regency bookcase featuring solid brass original grill work with gracefully curved doors. Inside there are three adjustable shelves with divider. Fluted det...
Category
1810s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Matched Pair of English Regency Style Bookcases
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a matched pair of Regency style bookcase or secretary made in England, circa 1940. These are a fantastic example of English bench made f...
Category
1930s British Vintage Regency Bookcases
Materials
Rosewood, Satinwood
English Regency Brass and Mahogany Bookcase (Manner of Gillows)
Located in New York, NY
English Regency (Early 19th Century) mahogany bookcase with reeded columnar angles flanking glazed doors over green silk lined brass grilled doors on lions paw feet. (Manner of Gillo...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Period English Regency Secretary Cabinet with Ebonized Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely made English regency period metamorphic bookcase-desk is also of an interesting and useful small scale. The mahogany construction is done in a clean simple straight-grain...
Category
19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Regency Painted Bookcases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Regence-style cream painted and gilt trimmed bookcase cabinets with 2 glass front doors with gilt pilaster column sides above 2 lower doors with a diamond design. (PRI...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century regency period rosewood bookcases
Located in London, GB
An unusual near pair of early 19th century Regency period rosewood Bookcases, boxwood line and ‘fleur-de-lys’ inlaid throughout, havin...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Boxwood, Rosewood
English Regency Yew & Satinwood Broken Arched Pediment Breakfront, Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency yew and satinwood breakfront with carved floral medallions, broken arched fretwork pediment, carved centered urn, adjustable upper and lower interior shelving, orig...
Category
1790s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Satinwood, Yew
English Regency Period Goncalo Alves and Gilt Brass Secretaire Bookcase
By John Mclean
Located in London, GB
A Regency period secretaire bookcase attributed to John Mclean of London.
Constructed in a well figured goncalo alves, with extensive use of gilt brass accents. Rising from compressed ball brass feet, the lower section consists of two blind cupboard...
Category
19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
English Regency Book Matched Mahogany Bookcase with Tiered Shelving, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency book matched mahogany bookcase with three tiered shelving, cross hatching, turned bulbous ringed columns with urn finials, wooden k...
Category
1810s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Regency Side Cabinet in Rosewood with Scagliola Top ca. 1810-20
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Regency rosewood side cabinet with glass inset door within a larger hidden door, scagliola top and column uprights, and adjustable shelving. This piece originated in England during the first quarter of the 19th century.
William Word Fine Antiques...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Scagliola, Rosewood
18h Century Georgian Mahogany Secrétaire Bookcase
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A very high quality 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secrétaire Bookcase. The upper section with moulded cornice above two astragal glazed doors flanked by reeded columns, fitted with t...
Category
18th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany and Brass Tabletop Bookstand, from a Parish-Hadley Design Commission
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., England, mahogany brass mounted rotating stand divided into four compartments, topped with a brass finial. A handsome addition to any desk, providing an interesting talking point and a fine way to store your upcoming reads. An opportunity to own a piece of design history coming as it does from a Parish-Hadley commission.
Dimensions:
14"h x 11"squ
Condition:
Good, minor rubbing to finish, brass with burnished patina, foot and spindle appear to be replaced.
Provenance:
Furnishings from the Estate of Barbara Allen...
Category
19th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Beacon Hill Mahogany Regency Style Bookcase
By Beacon Hill
Located in Parkesburg, PA
1pc cabinet, dome top with factory original antique colonial yellow/gold background, beaded molding on the face with flower medallions, figured lower...
Category
Mid-20th Century Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Regency Two Piece Bookcase
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Wonderful 19th Century regency two-piece bookcase.
With Egyptian brass heads and feet to columns of the top and bottom pieces with a grill to the doors. With gilt brass to the insid...
Category
19th Century British Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Fine English Late Regency Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase by Gillows of Lancaster
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautifully crafted late Regency mahogany secretaire bookcase in 2 parts, made and signed by Gillows of Lancaster, one of England's finest cabinetmakers for over 200 years. The pie...
Category
1830s English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Late 18th C English Mahogany and Pine Secondary Breakfront
Located in Charleston, SC
An institutional 18th century breakfront, this piece consists of eight sections that can be used or stored as desired. It is finished on all si...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Regency bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Regency bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Regency bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bevan Funnell Ltd., Williams & Gibton, and Arthur Brett. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $971 and tops out at $128,000 while the average work can sell for $6,588.
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