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.
Regency bronze and ormolu classical lady lustre candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu Lustre candlesticks having palm leaf decorated sconces and engine turned nozzles ...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century English Regency Ormolu and Porcelain Figural Candlestick
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (Late 19th Century) ormolu mounted porcelain candlestick (one) in the form of kneeling Chinese figures holding an urn.
Porcelain
$1,495 / set
Vintage Regency Gilt Candle Sconces - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of opulence to your space with this exquisite pair of Vintage Regency Gilt Candle Sconces. Featuring intricate gilt detailing, these sconces are crafted with a luxuriou...
Metal
Pair of English Regency Style Bronze Dore Heron Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Regency-style (19th Century) bronze dore heron figures standing on lotus flowers holding 3 arm candelabras (PRICED AS Pair)
Ormolu
Vintage Regency Faceted Polished Brass Candlesticks - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational pair of vintage Regency candlesticks. Beautiful mirror polished brass with a chic faceted design. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Brass
An Unusual Pair Of Gilt & Bronze Military Figure Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An unusual pair of gilt lacquered and bronzed candlesticks raised on a decorative plinth with seated military figure under an umbrella spray hung with triangularly icicles drop and r...
Bronze, Ormolu
Elegant Brass Candle Holder Set, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This unique brass candle holder set from Denmark is a masterful blend of minimalist design and Scandinavian elegance. Featuring slender, elongated stems that hold taper candles. The ...
Brass
Pair of « Dolphins » Torcheres Holders, France, Circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Exceptional pair of Regence style carved and giltwood torcheres holders. The console shaft around which a dolphin is wrapped is richly decorated with leafy scrolls, shells, floral fa...
Giltwood
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique 19th Century English Regency Candelabra
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Early 19th Century English Regency Ormolu and Marble Candelabra. Gorgeous piece.
Marble, Bronze
Regency period bronze and ormolu gothic candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu Gothic decorated candlesticks, having triple flame candle holders raised on baluster stems ending in engine turned circu...
Ormolu, Bronze
Vintage Regency Gilt Palm Wall Candle Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Illuminate your space with the exotic grandeur of this exquisite Vintage Regency Gilt Palm Wall Candle Sconce. Masterfully crafted, this sconce features a captivating palm tree motif...
Metal
Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra
Located in Buchanan, MI
Single Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra, Electrified
Crystal
Pair of English Regency Ormolu Chinoiserie Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A very attractive true pair of antique English Regency ormolu chinoiserie candlesticks. In the form of oriental women holding up a single cand...
Ormolu