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.
$3,691Sale Price / set|45% Off
Rare English Regency Writing Slope With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
By John Lambe
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful Handcrafted English Antique 19th Century Hardwood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles & Is Finished Wit...
Brass
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date. The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a ...
Wood
Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
By John Lambe
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful Handcrafted 19th Century Hardwood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles & Is Finished With A Decorative B...
Brass
English Regency Mahogany Travelling Sloped Lap Desk Box, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk box with brass corner mounts and handles, 19th century. Key included. Other features include fine tooled leather insert and a draw...
Mahogany
A Regency tortoiseshell and ivory desk set
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency tortoiseshell and ivory desk set, of shaped rectangular form with two glass inkwells, an ivory pot and two ivory pen holders above a curved pen tra...
Ivory, Tortoise Shell
$1,131Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Writing Slope Box in Walnut and Leather
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant hand crafted walnut writing slope with marquetry stripe details Leather writing surface on op Above the slope there is a compartment for storage writing implenments and two i...
Wood, Walnut, Leather
Antique Bachelor's Writing Slope, English, Correspondence Box, Regency, C.1830
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bachelor’s writing slope. An English, coromandel and satinwood correspondence box dating to the Regency period, circa 1830. A superior example of portable desk furniture, showcasing striking casework and a fine fitted interior. Crafted from select coromandel stocks, displaying rich grain interest with flashes of warm amber Fascia appointed with a brass shield escutcheon and inset lock to front — key present Lid opens to reveal dual writing skivers, in a later dark blue embossed leather Front skiver with brass clasp, opening to a generous storage compartment Rear skiver lifts to reveal a striking satinwood interior, presenting rich saffron hues Replete with document slides, a pen tray and a pair of glass ink wells Brass recessed carry handle to the lid, set within a shaped backplate for portability Presented in good antique order, with light, sympathetic wear consistent with age This fine Regency writing slope...
Brass
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Ormolu, Bronze
A Regency Hand Crafted Rosewood Writing Slope With Secret Compartments
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Secret Compartments. Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated ...
Brass
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French or...
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine Regency Period Rosewood and Brass Desk Set
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
A superb quality desk set in rosewood with brass trim. The brass handles is an ornate design with acanthus motif and is flanked by crystal inkwells which sit into shallow recesses. T...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century English Burl Wood & Rosewood Parkins & Gotto Inkwell Desk Letterbox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century English Burl Wood & Rosewood Parkins & Gotto Inkwell Desk Letterbox. Item features a brass ormolu, glass inkwells, bun feet, beautiful wood grain, original label, no key...
Wood
English Regency Style Bronze Pencil Cup
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style bronze cylindrical container with faux bamboo trim (SIGNED: M. LeVERRIER)
Bamboo
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Oval Pen Tray
Located in London, GB
An attractive early 19th century Regency period bronze and Ormolu oval Pen Tray, with thistle, fruit and flower handles, having cut-glass inkwells, quill holders, candleholder and ce...
Bronze, Ormolu
Desk Set, Italy, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Desk set in walnut, silver and crystal, Italy, 1980s Gifted to my grandfather and never used. Small signs of the time. Today unobtainable and of great value set.
Crystal, Silver
Mahogany bookstand 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
Solid mahogany book stand / book holder. From England, 19th century. Adjustable as desired. Dimensions: 33W x 38H x 21D cm
Mahogany
$1,200
H 3 in W 6 in D 4.5 in
Tortoise Shell Decorative Box with Paw Feet. Tortoise Shell With Bun Feet.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Tortoise shell decorative box with bun feet. We have other tortoise boxes similar in form that would be a lovely collection. Feel free to call or email with questions. Priced per b...
Tortoise Shell
$895Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Brass
$1,585Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 6.11 in W 11.82 in D 8.86 in
Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope & Leather Interior
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique British Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. The Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Scriver, A Single Glass Ink...
Brass
Sold|$650
H 7 in W 19.75 in D 10 in
Large Antique Campaign Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Good condition Working secret drawers* Replaced leather With a key Free UK shipping *The drawers a...
Brass
$650
H 5.5 in W 16 in D 9 in
Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance Probably Sri Lankan 3 secret drawers* Replaced lea...
Wood
Tortoiseshell Double Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
An exquisite blend of elegance and functionality, this tortoiseshell double inkwell is a true collector's delight. With its stunning glass inkwells, brass accents, and convenient sto...
Brass
$2,450
H 6.69 in W 17.91 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Victorian Writing Slope/ Travel Desk Box, Brass Bound, UK ca. 1815
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s campaign writing slope dates back to the Napoleonic wars. Well constructed out of solid mahogany with screwed down mount re-enforcements, brass banding, and inset carrying handles at each end, this outstanding travel desk box was designed to withstand the harsh maritime life at sea. The exterior of this Victorian travel box shows an attractive mahogany grain, beautiful colour, and a lovely pleasing patina. There are a couple of old indented scars to the lid along with the usual minor surface scratching, but these imperfections confer it an absolutely unique charme. The box has a tri-fold operation, opening to reveal a secondary smaller writing surface for quick use, then opening again to reveal the main slope fitted with a green felt writing surface which is in reasonable condition and compliments the original interior. When it is completely opened you have two storage compartments underneath. The original lock works smoothly with the original key. The original interior is nicely fitted out with a dark green leather drop-down section in the lid which features four memoire pockets. This section can additionally be lowered to reveal a document wallet...
Brass
Antique English Wood & Brass Travelling Lap Desk and Document Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lap desk and document box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1825 and done in the period...
Walnut
$1,771Sale Price|29% Off
H 7 in W 18 in D 10 in
English Regency Mahogany Travelling Lap Desk Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk/ box with original brass corner mounts, hinges, pin, top mount and retractable handles. Features include a side drawer,...
Brass
$3,418
H 8.51 in W 18.51 in D 11.62 in
Antique Regency Mahogany & Rosewood Brass Inlaid Campaign Writing Slope Box
Located in King's Lynn, GB
Here we have an impressive antique Regency (1811-1820) Mahogany & Rosewood Brass inlaid campaign writing slope box with a side drawer and multiple hidden internal compartments and dr...
Brass
Sold
H 6.5 in W 15.95 in D 10.04 in
Antique Gentleman’s Correspondence Case, English, Walnut, Writing Slope, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique gentleman’s correspondence case. An English, walnut and brass writing slope with leather skiver, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. A refined, self-contained writing companion of excellent quality and enduring charm. Select walnut stocks present fine grain interest with a rich, inviting colour Lid adorned with unmarked brass shield and inlaid brass straps, lending a distinguished aesthetic Brass lock escutcheon to the fascia — in working order, with key present Opens to reveal a navy blue leather skiver, attractively tooled and embossed Skiver formed in two parts, each lifting to reveal generous document compartments beneath Front compartment secured by a pair of sliding clasps for peace of mind Reverse of the skiver dressed with delicate blue netting, ideal for loose notes or envelopes The rear compartment secured by an additional lock — key absent Pen tray with removable cover sits neatly between a pair of brass-collared, glass ink wells A charming and well-equipped Regency writing...
Brass
Sold
H 5.71 in W 13.98 in D 9.45 in
Antique Officer's Correspondence Box, English, Writing Slope, Regency, C.1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique correspondence box. An English, rosewood writing slope case, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. A quality example with fin...
Brass
Sold
H 9.5 in W 9.5 in D 7 in
Vintage Italian Regency Executive Leather Desk Blotter Pad & Letter Box - 2 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Regency Executive Tooled Leather Desk Blotter Pad & Letter Box - 2 Pc Set. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Desk Pad:...
Leather
19th Century Regency style Copper Desktop Stationery Box
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique letter box. The box comes from England and dates from about 1900. The box has a walnut interior with four compartments. The outsid...
Copper
Sold
H 6.3 in W 18.12 in D 9.85 in
Antique Officer's Campaign Correspondence Box, English, Writing Case, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique officer’s campaign correspondence box. An English, flame mahogany and leather writing case, dating to the Regency period, ...
Leather, Wood
Pair Of Regency Bronze Letter Holders
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A pair of bronze letter pockets with gothic design. Circa 1825
Bronze
English Regency Walnut Traveling Lap Desk Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century English Regency traveling lap writing desk with original brass corner mounts and hardware, including lock and key. Outstanding sti...
Brass
Regency Rosewood Book Carrier
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very fine quality late regency period rosewood book stand, or book carrier, having elegant spindle turned upright supports and scrolling ends to ...
Rosewood
Vintage Modern Regency Style Gold Metal Toast Rack Letter Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Modern Regency Style Gold Metal Toast Rack Letter Holder. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 6" W x 4.25" D.
Metal
Sold
H 7 in W 6.25 in D 3.25 in
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Toast Rack Letter Holder Ball Feet 'B'
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Regency silver plated toast rack letter holder ball feet (B). Item featured is raised on ball form feet, shaped divider, 6 slots, very nice antique item, quality Engl...
Silver
Large 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Pen-Tray
Located in London, GB
A large early 19th Century bronze and ormolu Pentray, having original heavy glass inkwells housed in pierced Gothic containers with central wafer box surmounted by well-cast greyhoun...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century English Regency Style Inkstand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful rosewood inkstand with 2 glass inkwells with a center square glass canister. The top with a place for pens on the front and back with a slim drawer for paper. Each side wit...
Glass, Rosewood