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.
Vintage Regency Patinated Sundial
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning Vintage Regency patinated sundial showcases classic design elements with an elegant aged patina. Crafted in metal, it features intricate detailing that reflects the sop...
Concrete, Metal
Tabletop Antique Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Dating from the early 20th century, this small tabletop antique garden sundial sees a stylistically carved York stone base below a later horizon...
Stone, Bronze
Vintage English Country Iron Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage English country or Neoclassical style iron garden armillary sundial with Roman numerals USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 7.5"W x 6"D x 10.75"H Very good vintage...
Iron
Vintage Cast & Carved Stone Spanish Garden Sundial
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous large Unusual form cast & carved stone Spanish Garden sundial. Cast and imprinted with its makers name & date (1938), this will enhance all gardens that it graces. Roman num...
Cast Stone, Iron
$360
H 9 in W 8.5 in D 6 in
Vintage Iron Armillary Sundial Garden Ornament, Neoclassical Outdoor Decor
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautifully crafted iron armillary half-sphere sundial, evoking the timeless elegance of classical European gardens. Pieces like this are often found anchoring gravel courtyards, n...
Iron
Vintage English Country Iron Verdigris Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage English country or Neoclassical style brown and verdigris green iron garden armillary sundial with Roman numerals USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 11"W x 6.25"D ...
Iron
Vintage English Country Iron Verdigris Garden Sundial with Hummingbird
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage iron verdigris garden sundial featuring a charming hummingbird USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 10"W x 10"D x 4.5"H Very good vintage condition with patina thro...
Iron
Vintage English Country Iron Verdigris Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautifully crafted iron armillary sphere, evoking the timeless elegance of classical European gardens. Pieces like this are often found anchoring gravel courtyards, nestled within...
Iron
Vintage Neoclassical Iron Garden Sundial, USA, Late 20th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage iron garden sundial USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 8"W x 8"D x 3"H Good vintage condition with patina throughout. Sturdy and ready for immediate use.
Brass
Vintage English Country Iron Black Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage English country or Neoclassical style black iron garden armillary sundial with Roman numerals USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 7.5"W x 6"D x 10"H Very good vint...
Iron
Austin & Seeley Antique Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive antique sundial pairing a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century s...
Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel
Vintage English Country Iron Black Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage English country or Neoclassical style black iron garden armillary sundial USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 11"W x 7"D x 13"H Very good vintage condition.
Iron
Vintage English Country Iron Black Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautifully crafted iron armillary sphere, evoking the timeless elegance of classical European gardens. Pieces like this are often found anchoring gravel courtyards, nestled within...
Iron
Vintage Regency Monumental Wrought Iron Sundials, a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of vintage Regency sundials. Monumental in size and drama. Constructed from a wrought iron in a matte black finish. Intended for your garden, but just as gorgeous indo...
Wrought Iron
Regency Style Sundial
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fleurdetroit presents for your consideration this Regency Style Sundial. Beautiful and original nomon intact setting upon a regal column shank.
Concrete