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 Period Antique Sterling Silver Meat Skewer by Wallis & Hayne London 1811
By Thomas Wallis II, Jonathan Hayne
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1811 by Thomas Wallis II & Jonathan Hayne, this handsome, Regency Period, antique sterling silver meat skewer, is plain in style. The meat skewer measures: 12...
Sterling Silver
$895
H 3.75 in W 3 in D 0.25 in
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
By George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Sterling Silver
Paul Storr Georgian Sterling Silver Salts, London, 1811
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of three antique Georgian English sterling silver salts made by Paul Storr; an addition to our silver cruet and condiment collection. These...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
By Kirk & Son
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Gimbal Table Lighter by Andrew Barrett, 1910
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine, and impressive, antique George V English sterling silver gimbal table lighter; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique George V sterling silver table lighter has a globular form to a rounded composite handle. The surface of the piece is plain and embellished with the contemporary bright cut engraved initial 'H' beneath a Baron's coronet. The center of this antique silver table lighter...
Agate, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Bookmark
By Lunt Silver
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by Lunt Silversmith from the 1960s. It has a raindrop shape, rounded on one end and pointed on the...
Sterling Silver
Large Victorian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Large, Victorian period, sterling silver-mounted controlled bubbles crystal inkwell with hinged lid, Boston, circa 1895, Bigleow ,Kennard and Co. makers. Measures: 3 3/4 inches high ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Globe Inkwell Centerpiece by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This superb inkwell centerpiece dating to the Edwardian era was designed by the legendary Tiffany & Co. Crafted from sterling silver and bronze, this stunning inkwell boasts a co...
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Card Tray, J.E. Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian period, sterling silver card tray, J.E. Caldwell and Company, Philadelphia, circa 1915. Fluted design. Vacant cartouche. Measures 6...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver letter opener is a handsome piece that makes a great gift. Not only is it functional but a beautiful accent to your desk. Sleek and unadorned it works with any d...
Sterling Silver
$637
H 8.67 in W 2.37 in D 0.4 in
Elegant Sterling Silver Paperweight by Unattributed Metalworker, 1950
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Sterling silver American paperweight: an idea for an elegant gift - But You can use also as crumb collector... Very elegant for Your desk. A/2620 -
Sterling Silver
$1,275
H 4 in W 8 in D 4.25 in
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Footed Cherub-Motif Inkstand By William Comyns
Located in New York, NY
Outstanding, Victorian Period, sterling silver, footed inkstand with matching sterling silver-mounted crystal inkwell, London, year-hallmarked for 1901...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Samovar by Whipham & Wright, London 1763
By Thomas Whipman & Charles Wright
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique George III English sterling silver samovar made in the Regency style, an addition to our Geo...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1 in W 14.25 in D 1.25 in
Regency Period Antique Sterling Silver Meat Skewer or Letter Opener from 1819
By William Eley & William Fearn
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1819 by Eley & Fearn, this stylish, Regency Period, antique sterling silver meat skewer, features shell decoration and a plain ring. The meat skewer measures ...
Sterling Silver
English Tortoiseshell and Silver Page Turner
Located in Buchanan, MI
An English tortoiseshell and silver page turner Tortoiseshell blade with an English repousse silver handle Measures: Length 12.5".
Tortoise Shell