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.
Pair of Regency Shell Art Floral Bouquets under Glass Domes
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A ‘FANTASTICALLY’ RARE, EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY and MUSEUM QUALITY Pair of Regency Shell Art Floral Bouquets under Glass Domes. Made in Englan...
Shell, Glass, Mahogany
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
An English Regency Blue John and Marble Clockcase with an enamel portrait
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An extremely rare English Regency Blue John and marble clockcase that has been retrofitted with a gilt bronze framed enamel portrait medallion of a lady. Presumably the clock that o...
Marble
Pair of English Regency Serpentine Painted Arm Chairs. Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Regency serpentine splat back hand painted arm chairs with floral ribbon, swags, tassels, and medallion motif. Pair has scrolled ar...
Beech, Paint, Upholstery
Pair of English Regency Faux Painted and Gilt Armchairs, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Regency faux painted and gilt armchairs with quatrefoil and cross hatching splat backs, scrolled arms, and terminating on faux bamboo legs. Chairs have been upholster...
Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Chess Board
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian Grand Tour pietra dura specimen marble chess / checkers game board, rare and ancient marble squares, Italy, 1820s
Multi-gemstone, Siena Marble
Regency Penwork Decorated Box, C1810
Located in valatie, NY
Regency Penwork Decorated Box c1810. "A sycamore veneered box decorated in penwork. The sides of the box are decorated with what looks like stylized marigolds. ...
Brass
Antique English Regency Toleware Footed Coal Box or Scuttle with Brass Handles
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique metal coal box or coal scuttle is presumably made in England during the 1820s in the Regency period and style. The box is constructed of th...
Metal
Rare Pair of Victorian Staffordshire Ceramic Recumbent Giraffe Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Each with one leg bent, and nicely colored with dotted fur details slightly different from each other, circa 1860. Green double palm trees with red fruit form the supports at the bac...
Ceramic
William IV Police Truncheon, Painted Wood, Regency Style, 1830, UK
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A William IV policeman’s truncheon. A great piece of social history, the baton has a slightly shaped grip handle, the lower part is painted in Red and the upper part has a blue ba...
Paint
19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th century sea captain's tea caddy, circa 1830, made of coramandel wood gathered in the Spice Islands China Trade, with sailor's grommet-spliced rope becket handles. The inte...
Wood
$1,223Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very early 19th century chemist display carboy, circa 1820 possibly earlier The bulbous center sits on a stepped base with a swan like neck and a fine cut glass oversized stopp...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique Painted Faux Bamboo Pedestal Plant Stand, 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE TWO TIERED PLANT STAND An upper galleried circular platform is supported by three leggy, hand-carved faux-bamboo legs, slightly out swept with tapered feet. There is also a ...
Wood, Paint
English Regency Mahogany Marble Top Console, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany marble-top console with flanking Phoenix heads, original ormolu mounts, ebonized tapered legs, centered gilt urn and terminating on rectangular molded edge b...
Marble, Gold
English Pearlware Pottery Sailor Figures, Pair, Circa 1820
Located in Downingtown, PA
This charming and colorful pair of early 19th-century English pearlware figure groups depicts sailors — the beloved "Jolly Jack Tar" of British culture — each seated in a contemplative pose, elbow on a large yellow-banded barrel, jug of ale in hand, surrounded by the tools of trade and leisure: sea trunk...
Pearlware, Pottery
Pearlware Bear Jug and Cover, English, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Napoleonic Bear Baiting Jug and Cover, Probably Scottish,
Ceramic
Set of Four English Regency Paper Mâché Painted & Gilt Nest of Tables. C.1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of four English Regency paper mâché painted and gilt nest of tables with shell, coral and mother-of-pearl inlaid checker board top. Tables are ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Paint, Paper
Antique English Regency Period and Styled Hand Painted Toleware Tea Caddy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique English toleware tea caddy dates to circa 1820 and done in the period Regency style. This tea caddy is constructed of tin with a cast i...
Metal
Vintage Regency Signed Interiors Painting on Paper
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Original oil painting on paper. A chic interiors composition in clear colors. A glamorous bedroom scene in a gilt frame. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Paint, Paper
$2,149
H 0.79 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Travertine
$1,850
H 0.75 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Marble Chess Set with Hand Carved Turquoise and White Onyx Pieces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise and White Onyx Pieces. 1950s. Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set comple...
Onyx, Marble
Green and White Customizable Chess Board
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Shown in our hand-painted lightly distressed Vintage Willow Green and harvest white finish. The...
Wood
Pair Of Period English Regency Armchairs C.1830
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of English Regency Arm chairs, ebonized with parcel gilt accents. The chair with a distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design...
Fabric, Wood, Cane
Vintage Italian Lapiz Lazuli Chess Board 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meti...
Lapis Lazuli
$1,695
H 16.5 in W 12.5 in D 12 in
Antique English Regency Toleware Footed Coal Box or Scuttle with Brass Handles
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique metal coal box or coal scuttle is presumably made in England during the 1820s in the Regency period and style. The box is constructed of th...
Metal
Alpine Blue Painted Folk Art Chairs 19th Century
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare and beautifully preserved examples of late 19th-century Alpine folk art chairs, most likely originating from the Tyrol or southern Bavaria regions. This pair retains a str...
Pine
Antique Style Wooden Chess Board
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece combines timeless design influenced by the European countryside. Featuring our hand-painted lightly distressed Brown suede and Forofino white painted finish. The...
Wood
$2,974 / item
H 2.56 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
21st Century Italian Leather Chess Board with Brass Pieces Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Two in one. A bicolour game board with an interior storage tray that houses the set’s pearled checkers and black and brass-finished chess pieces. The class of a noble material such as walnut wood perfectly matches with the timeless beauty of genuine leather. A full chess and checkers set...
Brass
$150
H 1 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Mosaic Brown Marble Stone Chess Game Checkerboard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Mid Century Modern Mosaic Brown Marble Stone Chess Game Checkerboard. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 1" H x 13.5" W x 13.5" D x 1.5" Squares.
Marble
$1,318
H 1.97 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Vintage Italian Genuine Alabaster Chess Set with Carved Pieces, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful 1970s Italian chess set in genuine alabaster. The board features warm cream and rich reddish-brown marble squares with subtle veining. 32 hand-carved pieces: deep burgundy ...
Alabaster
Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
Pine
Period Regency Mirror Gilt Overmantle
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Regency gilt overmantle mirror Period Regency antique mirror This quality mirror features turned columns with carved decoration and turned feet The black inset border is striking aga...
Giltwood
Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror 1810 Classical Adams
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Regency Gilt over mantle mirror circa 1810 Three Sectional Mirror has Adams urn motif on top with garlands Ideal for above a mantle piece We bought them from...
Mirror, Giltwood
Regency Oil Painting Still Life Fruit English Art
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Very bright and vivid oil painting of a classic still life scene in the Regency manner The arrangement includes fruit, a jug, roses and a goblet Artist has really captured the scene ...
Paint
Set of Three 19th Century West Indies Original Watercolors
Located in New York, NY
These original watercolors, shown here, are presumed to have been done in the West Indies in the late 18th or early 19th century. Purchased from the estate of a collector from Kensi...
Wood, Paint, Paper
Vintage Regency Signed Original Oil Portrait of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking vintage Regency oil portrait on canvas. A chic composition in the period style. Signed and dated by the artist. Acquired from a Palm Be...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Boho Regency Royal Academy Artist Original Oil Portrait
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage original oil portrait. A beautiful composition of an elegant lady. Signed by the artist and dated 1931. The artist , Jose Ruschty, was a student of Tbe Royal Academ...
Paint
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 1.97 in
Pair of Early 19th Century American Folk Art School Half Length Portraits
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An interesting pair of oil on canvas half length portraits of a well to do husband and wife drinking and relaxing in what seems to be very comfortable surroundings. Each painting has...
Canvas
19th Century Carved Oak English Regency Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century carved oak English plaque. We are proud to offer a highly decorative English regency hand carved oak panel. Depicting a ornate vase overflowing with flowers and foliage. With a super patina across all its surface and deep hue, a real work of art and easily placed on a wall above a fireplace in a country house setting. Recently uncovered in an English stately home...
Oak
Circa 1790/1810 Regency Irish Carved Ships Figurehead
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very well carved Regency ships figurehead believed to off been originally from an Irish ship. The head has obviously been severed from the rest of th...
Pine
Sold
H 19 in W 15 in D 1 in
Rare Six Early 19th Century Caricature Portrait Paintings of Spanish Actors
Located in Essex, MA
Rare set of six oil on canvas caricatures of known Spanish actors, actresses and notables from the early 19th century. -- All identified on reverse -- Original condition -- Rema...
Canvas
Regency Needlewood and Rosewood Stool
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Early 19th century English pouf covered with a hand embroidered needlework fabric. The completely hand embroidered fabric shows trees with flowers and deers...
Mahogany
Rare Regency Pen Work English Treen Snuff Bottle, circa 1840
Located in London, GB
Regency pen work treen snuff bottle, circa 1840 We are proud to offer an early 19th century handcrafted rare example of a Regency pen work treen snuff bottle...
Wood