Skip to main content

Regency Secretaires

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.

26
to
2
15
11
26
26
26
177
111
110
92
81
73
69
56
29
27
27
14
9
4
3
1
1
2
22
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
24
13
10
8
6
25
21
18
1
1
1
Style: Regency
French Secretaire Cartonnier, Transition , wood leather
Located in Valladolid, ES
A sensational and unique French PP S XIX cartonnier, Transition style from Louis XV to Louis XVI, high quality, mahogany, mahogany palm and leather. The cartonnier rises on a solid m...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Rare Antique English Regency Rosewood Davenport with Spring-Loaded Pen Drawer
Located in Charleston, SC
This wonderful early 19th century Antique English Rosewood and ebonized Davenport or Ship Captain's Desk is one of the finest we've had in recent years. Davenports or Ship Captain's Desks are so-named originally for a Captain Davenport...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

English Regency Style Wood and Brass Leather Top Campaign Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Regency-Style (20th century) Campaign / kneehole desk with two cabinet columns with four drawers each having square inset brass drawer pulls and ebonized trim, and a central ...
Category

20th Century European Regency Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary bookcase, Circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Regency Mahogany Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Regency period mahogany secretary circa 1800 of very good quality and small proportion from England Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater. This good q...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Rosewood Secretaire Side Cabinet/Chiffoneer
Located in Folkestone, GB
A superior quality and unusual Regency rosewood Side Cabinet, the top drawer with fold-down, leather-lined front, fully fitted with drawers and pigeon holes. below are a pair of silk...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Early 20th Century Secretary with Drawers and Marquetry and Brass Details
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th century secretary has two drawers and a flap, with storage behind the flap. The flap opens by key, which is included. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique English Secretaire / Sideboard, 19th Century
Located in Ely, GB
A beautiful English antique secretaire cabinet or sideboard. circa 1820 - 1880. Made from mahogany and of high quality, the cabinet has g...
Category

1820s British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English Regency Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Regency style mahogany and satinwood inlaid Carlton house desk. Circa 1880 rare Carlton House desk, typical for the Regency period, is a beautiful piece of furniture. It i...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Regency Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period Regency mahogany secretary bookcase. Carved neoclassical elements. Pediment with carving and carved hairy pay feet. Drop down interior to reveal original compartments in satin...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Rare Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Secretaire Sideboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Rare Antique Regency quality mahogany secretaire sideboard having a pleasing shaped gallery back with a quality mahogany drop well bow fronted top. The fall ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Other

Regency Brass-Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood secretaire cabinet, the rectangular top with a pierced galleried shelf with trellis work on the sides, above a secretaire drawer, banded with brass pa...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Regency Mahogany Gillows Secretaire à Abattant
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Regency fiddleback mahogany secretaire à abattant in the manor of Gillows, with a black slate top. A cantilevered fall front, having typ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Very Rare Italian Hardwood Cylinder Bureau Bookcase Desk with Must See Pictures
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this very fine 19th century Italian cylinder top Bureau bookcase with ornately inlaid internals This is one of the finest flamed mahogany cyl...
Category

1820s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Early 19th Century English Hepplewhite Regency Secretary Bookcase and Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exquisite, singularly unique Hepplewhite secretary bookcase in mahogany, satinwood, and boxwood. The cornice exhibits urns and panels, and the ce...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English Regency Rosewood Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
English Regency rosewood secretaire cabinet with two upper shelves supported by a lyre form over a secretaire drawer fitted with a leather wri...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

18th Century British Regency Bureau Chiffonier in Manner of Gillows
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic piece in impeccable condition. Regency exotic hardwood bureau or secretaire desk or cabinet of lovely proportions. From circa 1790. The top portion consists of an open columned pelmet and shelf with a series of drawers underneath. All made of rosewood. The bottom section is a double door cabinet with double shelving inside. The façade of the doors consist of glorious gilded latticework frames with rose shaped connectors and with brown silk blinds...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Near Pair of Regency Bookcases
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare near pair of English Regency period secretary or bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlay. The fitted drawers in the fall front are slightly different in c...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood

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 Secretaires

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 Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Regency Walnut and Ebony Secretaire-Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very handsome English Regency walnut and ebony secretaire-chest with four drawers with pull-out secretaire with ebony in-set central writing sur...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

English Regency Period Secrétaire Cabinet with Egyptian Motifs
By George Oakley
Located in London, GB
A secrétaire cabinet of the Regency period Firmly attributed to George Oakley. Constructed in a finely faded and patinated goncalo alvez, having holly and purple heart stringing;...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Purpleheart, Satinwood, Holly

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 Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Regency Style Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet In Two Parts
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An English Regency style mahogany bookcase cabinet with the upper part having fretwork enhanced glass doors with two adjustable wood sh...
Category

19th Century Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Camphorwood Campaign Secretaire Chest
Located in Bournemouth, GB
A Regency period camphorwood secretaire chest. The Rectangular top above the full front drawer opening to a baize writing surface, an arrangement of pigeon holes, four small sliding ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Antique English Adams Decorated Satinwood Drop-Front Desk, 18th-19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Adam decorated drop-front desk offers satinwood construction with slant front having neoclassical reserve of woman and cherub in co...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

Charles Spooner Arts & Crafts Oak secretaire Cabinet with Serpentine Stretchers
By Charles Spooner
Located in London, GB
Charles Sydney Spooner, probably made by J H Brandt. A rare oak secretaire cabinet on stand, with quarter veneered panels to the doors and drawers with black and green diamond shaped handles. The doors open to reveal adjustable shelves. The sides and lower stand are all made from solid quarter sawn oak with beautiful figuring. The slightly graduated mouldings to the waist frame the tidy little writing area. Standing on squashed ball feet, united with serpentine entwined stretchers. This is an oak variation of the cabinet Charles Spooner exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1910. One can see that both cabinets are essentially the same design, one with drawers one with a pull down writing area. Both have quartered veneered panels to the doors, the Mahogany one with applied moulded decoration to the doors. See : illustration below from : Arts and Crafts Furniture by John Andrews. See also : Charles Spooner Arts and Crafts Architect, page 209 illustration 10:28. : Fine Art Society for a Coromandel variation and Puritan Values : Important Furniture Page 1, for a larger four door lacquered panelled variation. Charles Spooner is noted as one of the most influential people and also credited as one of the fathers of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Born at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (London), Spooner was the second of 5 children of Charles Spooner and Sarah Frances Trinder, who lived at Brook Green, Hammersmith. Spooner became an architect and an instructor of furniture design at the London County Council's Central School of Arts and Crafts. He was a pupil and then assistant of Sir A W Blomfield and in 1890 won the RIBA’s Soane Medallion (Proc RIBA). He specialised in smaller churches and houses turning out some beautiful and complete buildings. He was influenced by E W Godwin and contemporary American architects such as H H Richardson. He was a member of the Society and Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Art Workers Guild, he worked in the tradition of William Morris, teaching...
Category

1920s English Vintage Regency Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Precious cabinet secretaire produced in Italy in the 1950s, The whole cabinet is veneered in mahogany with a fine solid wood carving in the center of the two doors representing two b...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
H 50.4 in W 55.12 in D 16.54 in
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
H 88.5 in W 40.75 in D 22 in
Rosewood Davenport Desk
Located in New York, NY
An early 19th century rosewood davenport desk, with low gallery above a lifting slant front writing surface, with inset leather top & gold tooling. A small inkwell & pen holding & draw & pivoting drawer. It's interior having small drawers above 4 drawers, graduated in size from small to large, all raised on a plinth on original castors. each drawer having a lock & all sharing a key, England, Circa 1820. The Davenport desk owes its name to a Captain...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Davenport Desk
Rosewood Davenport Desk
H 32.5 in W 19 in D 21 in
Biedermeier Writing Desk Chiffonier Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light h...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Birch

French Ormolu-Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant by Millet
Located in London, GB
The brèche d'Alep marble top above a long frieze drawer, the hinged fall front with gilt-tooled brown leather writing-surface, the fitted interior with four open compartments and a long drawer, above two cupboard doors, the interior with one shelf, on spreading foliate feet, the gilt-bronze banding to the left side signed Millet à Paris.
Category

19th Century French Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Tulipwood

Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The carved cornice with urn form finials over a carv...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

19th Century English "Tortoise Shell" Bamboo Secretary Bookcase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The desk is designed with a slant front above a single drawer. The bookcase top is fashioned with 2 glass paneled doors. The desk has a bottom shelf as well. Wonderful eye-catchin...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Antique English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1790
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
The image displays an English George III mahogany two-piece secretary cabinet, a fine example of 18th-century craftsmanship. The cabinet is constructed from rich mahogany, a wood cho...
Category

1790s British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A strong, elegant piece to keep you perfectly organized! Crafted of hand-hewn fir and ash and veneered with thick hand-cut ash veneers, this chest offers storage for everything. A lo...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Ash

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 53 in W 43.5 in D 19 in
18th Century George III Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, Georgian, 1780s
Located in Roma, RM
English Bookcase, George III, circa 1780, mahogany wood, in good condition but in need of restoration. Fantastic example of English craftsmanship for this type of furniture. Carefu...
Category

1780s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Previously Available Items
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English Regency Style Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet In Two Parts
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An English Regency style mahogany bookcase cabinet with the upper part having fretwork enhanced glass doors with two adjustable wood sh...
Category

19th Century Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique secretaire
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Impressive antique mahogany chest of drawers with desk drawer. Completely in perfect and original condition. The desk drawer has a rich interior with a leather writing area. The cabi...
Category

1820s British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique secretaire
Antique secretaire
H 47.25 in W 48.82 in D 22.84 in
Italian Regency Florentine Trompe l'oeil Secretary Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Italian regency two-part Trompe l'oeil secretaire with a drop-front desk made in Florence. The case features beautifully hand-painted whimsical motifs that decorate the ca...
Category

20th Century Italian Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Regency Burl Walnut Blind Door Secretary Bookcase with Bun Feet, C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency burl walnut arched dome pediment slant front secretary bookcase with three carved foliage bulbous finials, flanking hinged scalloped blind doors revealing a fitted in...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fine English mahogany secretary, done in the Regency style circa 1830. This outstanding desk has an upper body for storage and display. There are three adjustable finished shelves ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

BAKER Burl Walnut French Regency Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
A French Regency style abatante secretary desk by Baker Furniture. Burl walnut with brass hardware, black painted side & interior columns, brass ornamentation to entablature & side c...
Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Regency Secretaire Bookcase in Mahogany with Glazed Doors in Two Parts
Located in Wells, ME
English Regency period mahogany secretaire bookcase in two parts with glazed doors and adjustable shelves to the upper section; secretaire drawer and three graduated drawers to the l...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Cowhide, Glass, Mahogany

English Mahogany Fall Front Desk with Fitted Interior Unique Shallow Depth
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany fall front desk with fitted interior unique shallow depth.
Category

1790s English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Regency Period Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning early 19th century, George III - Regency period solid mahogany secretaire bookcase. Well proportioned mahogany bookcase with astragal...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome mahogany secretary from 19th century England is the perfect storage and display piece. The geometric paned glass top houses three adjustable shelves. The drop front des...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Metal

English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
H 93 in W 46 in D 21.75 in
Fine Regency 19th C Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine English Regency flame mahogany drop front secretary.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Regency secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Regency secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Regency secretaires 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 secretaires, popular names associated with this style include and Gillows of Lancaster & London. 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 secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,598 and tops out at $84,000 while the average work can sell for $8,275.

Recently Viewed

View All