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.
Rare, Period Cast Iron Regency Sarcophagus Hob Grate
Located in London, GB
A rare Regency Sarcophagus cast iron hob grate after a design by George Bullock. The lion paw feet front and back and Anthymion decoration to front...
Iron
Early 19th Century Pine Fireplace Featuring Aesop's Fable
Located in London, GB
A good quality and unusual early 19th century pine fireplace. The carved centre plaque depicting the Aesop's fable of "The Dog and Its Reflection." The frieze with swags and floral g...
Pine
Regency Style Statuary Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A late Regency style statuary white marble fireplace. The panelled jambs surmounted by square panelled end blockings. The frieze with centre plaque featuring cross-banded foliage, fl...
Statuary Marble
English White Marble Fireplace in the Regency Style
Located in London, GB
An English white marble fireplace in the Regency style. The fluted panelled frieze bordered by beads, shaped fluted jambs surmounted by carved round paterae and beading. A quality co...
Marble
19th Century Fireplace in Italian Bardiglio Marble
Located in London, GB
An large and impressive carved fireplace in grey Bardiglio marble. The panelled jambs surmounted by end blocks featuring carved grapes and leaves, the matching centre block with addi...
Marble
English Bath Stone Regency Style Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An English Bath stone fireplace in the Regency style. The panelled frieze and jambs with Greek key motif surmounted by Anthemion leaf. A good quality copy...
Stone
Regency Style Statuary Marble Chimneypiece Inlaid with Porphyry
Located in London, GB
A Regency style statuary marble chimneypiece inlaid with porphyry ovals to centre panel and side blockings. Sienna marble interior slips, 19th century. Measures: Shelf Width: 1525 m...
Siena Marble
Statuary Regency Marble Fireplace in the Manner of Thomas Hope
Located in London, GB
A 19th century statuary Regency marble fireplace in the manner of Thomas Hope. The side blockings depicting scrolling, leaves, shells and flowers. Raised and fielded panelled jambs. ...
Statuary Marble
19th Century Regency Limestone Mantelpiece
Located in London, GB
An attractive period English Regency limestone fireplace. The jambs and frieze with Greek key motif, the end blockings with carved lion's masks with moulded shelf above. Early 19th c...
Limestone
English Stone Fireplace in the Regency Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Regency style. The tapering jambs surmounted by shaped end blocks carved with palmettes. The frieze with cen...
Stone
Period Regency Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive period Regency stone fireplace. The shaped, reeded jambs with carved brackets to top and roundels to plinths. The frieze with Greek key pattern, surmounted by ...
Limestone
White Marble Fireplace in the Soanian Style
Located in London, GB
An English white marble fireplace in the Soanian manner. The reeded moulding to jambs and frieze with centre plaque and arched end blockings. A Fine copy of an original piece. N.B. M...
Marble
$15,950 / item
English Regency Style Fireplace in White Marble
Located in London, GB
A fine quality English Regency style fireplace in white marble. The jambs with tapering reeded columns surmounted by end blockings with carved ...
Marble
Regency Style Bath Stone Fireplace with Carved Lion's Masks
Located in London, GB
An attractive English bath stone fireplace in the Regency style. The jambs and frieze with Greek key motif, the end blockings with carved lion’s masks with moulded shelf above. A fin...
Stone
Regency Style White Marble Fire Surround
Located in London, GB
An English white marble fireplace in the early 19th century Regency style. The frieze with raised and fielded centre panel, the tapering reeded jambs surmounted by carved square pate...
Marble
Regency Style Statuary Marble Fireplace with Brass Ormolu Enrichments
Located in London, GB
A statuary white marble fireplace in the Regency style. The reeded jambs surmounted by brass ormolu wreaths. The reeded frieze with centre plaque featuring ormolu adornment of tied f...
Marble
$14,043 / item
Regency Style Fireplace Mantel in Lincolnshire Limestone
Located in London, GB
A fine quality English Regency style fireplace in Lincolnshire limestone. The jambs with tapering reeded columns surmounted by end blockings wi...
Limestone
Regency Style White Marble and Siena Chimneypiece
Located in London, GB
An English, Regency style fireplace in white marble with Siena inlay. The frieze and jambs with half rounded reeds, the end blockings with delicate rosettes encircled by carved garla...
Marble, Siena Marble