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
Good Vintage Well Weathered Sun Dial
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Well weathered stone and bronze sundial held up by three cherubs, in very good overall condition. 29" high 21" diameter You are welcome to view this item at our showroom, please ph...
Cast Stone
$3,495
H 37.25 in W 15 in D 15 in
Large English Sundial of Composition Stone with Bronze Dial for the Garden
Located in Austin, TX
A large English sundial of composition or garden stone - featuring a bronze sundial inscribed with a sun, numerals, cardinal directions, along with a fixed gnomon (the shadow-casting...
Stone, Cast Stone, Metal, Bronze
Vintage English Country Iron Garden Sundial with Frog on a Lily Pad
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic iron garden sundial inspired by traditional English estate landscapes featuring a frog on a lily pad. Pieces like this bring structure and timeless character to a garden—eq...
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 English Country Iron Garden Sundial with Frogs on a Lily Pad
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic iron garden sundial inspired by traditional English estate landscapes featuring two frogs on a lily pad. Pieces like this bring structure and timeless character to a garden...
Iron
$370
H 4.75 in W 9.25 in D 9.25 in
Vintage English Country Iron Verdigris Garden Sundial with Zodiac Signs
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic octagonal verdigris iron garden sundial featuring the 12 zodiac signs, inspired by traditional English estate landscapes. Pieces like this bring structure and timeless char...
Iron
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 Sundial "Grow Old Along With Me"
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic vintage iron garden sundial inspired by traditional English estate landscapes, reading "Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be." Pieces like this bring structure and...
Iron
Vintage English Country Iron Garden Sundial With Sun- Outdoor Estate Decor
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic vintage iron garden sundial inspired by traditional English estate landscapes, featuring the sun and clouds at daybreak. Pieces like this bring structure and timeless char...
Iron
$350
H 4.75 in W 9 in D 9 in
Vintage English Country Iron Garden Sundial With Sun- Outdoor Estate Decor
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic vintage iron garden sundial inspired by traditional English estate landscapes, featuring the sun. Pieces like this bring structure and timeless character to a garden—equal...
Iron
$360
H 3.25 in W 8.13 in D 8.13 in
Vintage English Country Brass Garden Sundial "I Only Count Sunny Hours"
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic vintage brass garden sundial, inspired by traditional English estate landscapes, reading "I count none bust sunny hours." Pieces like this bring structure and timeless char...
Brass
Reclaimed Neoclassical Style Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Add style to your garden with this reclaimed neoclassical style armillary sundial. It features a steel late 20th century garden armillary sphere above an early 20th century limestone...
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Steel
$480
H 8.75 in W 9.75 in D 9.75 in
Vintage English Country Iron Garden Sundial "I only count life's sunny hours"
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic vintage iron garden sundial, inspired by traditional English estate landscapes, featuring a horse and a poem reading, "Serene I stand among the flowers and only count life’...
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