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 Antique Silver Giltwood Regency Style Pilasters
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of tall slender tapered pilasters, silver gilt, 8ft 8 inches tall, finely carved in the typical shallow relief manner of the Régence period. Gorgeous patina on silver gilding.....
Silver Leaf
19th Century Three Panel English Print Room Screen
Located in New York, NY
A three panel English Print Room Screen. The 19th century wood frame decoupage with fine early 19th century engravings depicting a variety of celebrations at Vauxhall Hall with silho...
Paper, Birch
$4,250 / set
H 68 in W 8 in D 4 in
Italian Neoclassical Style Painted and Giltwood Architectural Pilaster Columns
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Neoclassical style painted and giltwood architectural pilaster columns. Lovely pair of 19th century Italian Louis XVI style hand carved, paint...
Giltwood
19th Century Pair of Italian Faux Marble Pilasters
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a pair of Italian hand-carved pilasters with a faux marble finish in the classical style . The carved fluted section is headed by a half-square capital and situated on a bol...
Wood
$4,200
H 36 in W 18 in D 18 in
Antique Italian Pair of Roman Cointhian Style Carved & Giltwood Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of carved and giltwood three feet tall pedestals from the early 20th century. This antique pair of architectural pedestal columns from Italy, standing approximately three feet in height, are gesso and gilt over wood. The round-shaped and fluted shafts have flattened tops and bottoms ornate with hand-carved, curled acanthus leaf motif details typical Roman Corinthian fashion. The gold gilt finish is enhanced by a wonderful patina, warmth about the leaves, and great chippy bits. These antique Italian Corinthian pedestals...
Wood
$4,380
H 115.5 in W 97 in D 2 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Handcraft 5 Panels Wooden Screen / Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 115 1/2"H x 19 1/2"W x 2"D each All together: 97 in W Origin: Shan Xi, China Circa: 1850 Material: Elm wood Condition: Original finished, very good condition. hand made, hand ...
Elm
French Baroque Sopraporte Wall Panels, Wood & Stucco, 19th-20th C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th–20th century set of two French sopraporte wall panels, crafted in wood with applied stucco decoration. These large rectangular panels are richly ornamented with classic Baroqu...
Stucco, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved Wooden Painted Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of Italian carved wooden painted panels dating to the 19th century. Handcrafted, each panel is carved with repeating foliage and flower designs finished with original paint. ...
Pine, Wood
Folding Screen Room Divider in Solid Wood
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this folding screen made in solid wood with brass details, circa 1950.
Cedar
Reclaimed 19th century French Provincial Boiserie Panel
Located in Mckinney, TX
A striking mid-19th century French boiserie panel with original pale olive green paint, delicately worn over time to reveal subtle undertones beneath. The carved frame features gra...
Wood
$1,438Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 102 in W 17 in D 3.5 in
Set of Two Large French 19th Century Curved Hand Carved Walnut Panels
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of two large French 19th century curved hand carved walnut panels.
Walnut
$3,125 / set
H 84 in Dm 16 in
Monumental Italian Neo-Classical Style Pine & Giltwood Columns W/ Capitols -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a monumental Italian neo-classical style carved and painted columns with cascading grapes and vines. They are most likely mid-century pieces and do have age appropriate wear.
Pine, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Panel in Carved Walnut and Oak
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th Century Italian Panel in Carved Walnut and Oak. Beautiful architectural element would make a great head board for a king-sized bed or top for a unique console table.
Walnut, Oak
$54,375Sale Price|25% Off
H 98.5 in W 240 in D 168 in
Distinguish 18th Century English Knotty Pine Panel Room
Located in North Salem, NY
Transform your space into a captivating den, library, or office with the grandeur of this remarkable 18th-century English pine panel room. Every wall is adorned with intricately crafted applied mouldings, adding depth and character to the room. The craftsmanship is truly exceptional, showcasing the skilled artistry of the era. There are four door/window openings, each adorned with a beautifully carved Greek key moulding, providing a touch of elegance and sophistication. These openings offer opportunities for natural light to flow into the room, creating an inviting ambiance. The room is divided into distinct sections. The lower section comprises eight panels, adding a sense of solidity to the room's design. The mid section is accentuated by eight meticulously crafted mouldings, enhancing the visual appeal and providing a transition between the lower and upper panels. The upper section consists of twelve panels, further enriching the overall aesthetic. To crown this magnificent space, a dentil carved moulded cornice elegantly tops...
Pine