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.
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame Portrait of Young Man
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor portrait, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame – Dated 1834. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls fro...
Fruitwood, Paper
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Maple Frame Blackbird Nest and Eggs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of a Blackbird’s nest and eggs, mounted in a Georgian Period Maple frame – Dated 1863. These...
Paper, Birdseye Maple
"Cries of England-Sweet Oranges" Regency Bone China-Made in England
By Regency
Located in Medina, OH
The "Cries of London" series, including this "Sweet Orange" plate, originated from a series of oil paintings by Francis Wheatley exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795. These paintings were subsequently engraved and sold as prints. Reproductions of these popular prints, like the plate that we have listed here were produced over a long period, even into the 20th century. It is noted that Adams China, of Tunstall, England produced these Cries of England plates...
Brass
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame, a Willow Wrens Nest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of a Willow Wren’s nest and egg, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame – Dated 1863. These watercolors were large...
Fruitwood, Paper
French Regency Style Frame
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Regency style frame, circa 1940.
Wood
Portrait of Infant Margarita Teresa Juan Bautista Martine Del Mazo Queen, Spain
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Portrait of the Infanta Margarita Teresa Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo (Queen of Spain) A very sweet ...
Wood
House of Heydenryk Carved Parcel Gilt Frame 27.75" x 22"
Located in Atlanta, GA
Carved and parcel gilt frame by The House of Heydenryk, American, circa 1950s. The outer frame dimensions are 27.75"H x 22"W. The inner frame dimensions are 22.5"H x 16.25"W.
Wood
"Cries of England-Yellow Primrose" Regency Bone China-Made in England
By Regency
Located in Medina, OH
The "Cries of London" series, including this "Yellow Primrose" plate, originated from a series of oil paintings by Francis Wheatley exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795. These paintings were subsequently engraved and sold as prints. Reproductions of these popular prints, like the plate that we have listed here were produced over a long period, even into the 20th century. It is noted that Adams China, of Tunstall, England produced these Cries of England plates...
Brass
Portrait Miniature of Sir George Douglas, Baronet by J.C.D. Engleheart, 1821
By John Cox Dillman Engleheart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very fine likeness of handsome nobleman Sir George Douglas, inscribed on the reverse "Engelheart fecit 1824 London." The painting is contained in a beautifully cast bronze doré frame with the sitter's name engraved...
Bronze
Wonderful French Large Blue Enamel Bronze Bow Swag Picture Frame
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful french large blue enamel inset and bronze picture frame with bows and swags. Measures: 18" H x 15 1/2" W.
Bronze, Enamel
$750Sale Price|50% Off
H 43 in W 36.5 in D 2.5 in
19th Century Italian Water Giltwood Frame, Hand Carved, 36 x 30 in
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-154 hand carved Italian water giltwood frame Interior rabbit size 36 x 30".
Giltwood
An Old San Juan “ La Escalinata del Hospital “ Watercolor Painting
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a water color painting of a place in the Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It depicts a long staircase that is called “ La Escalinata del Hospital “or “La Escalinata de Las Monjas’ between colorful buildings with Spaniard architecture. A long balcony stands out from the upper part of one of the buildings at the left. A sign hanging from the guardrail of this balcony read: “ Ladies for rent for single men”. The name comes because a former hospital of San Juan was built nearby and there was also a nunnery, that became a hotel that is known today as El Convento Hotel. There are some planters with green plants adorning the staircase. A man with a backpack is climbing the stairs. An antique headlight...
Wood
Antique Gold Leaf Wood Frame, Hand-Crafted, North America, 1920
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful gold leaf antique wood frame. Measures: 27”.25 x 19”.5.
Wood
$70,476Sale Price|20% Off
H 45.28 in W 59.45 in D 2.76 in
Alberto Carlieri, Capriccio with Christ and the Adulteress, Oil on Canvas
By Alberto Carlieri
Located in IT
Alberto Carlieri (Italy-Roma 1672-1720), "Christ and the adulteress", Oil on canvas, with frame cm H 115 x L 151 x 6.5, only canvas H 98.5 x L 135 cm...
Canvas
$1,409
H 22.05 in W 26.97 in D 2.76 in
Antique Gilt Wooden Frame, Fruitwood, French, Early 20th Century, 1920
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Beautiful gilt wooden frame, suitable for a picture or a mirror, vertically or horizontally. It's elegant and can be placed anywhere. ref. O/5754-7.
Fruitwood
Period Rectangular Giltwood Italian Salvator Rosa Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Salvator Rosa last 17th century giltwood frame. Internal measurements cm 24 x 32.5 Pure example of Italian Salvator Rosa gild wood frame of 17th century. "Salvator Rosa" is the famo...
Wood
$990 / set
H 12 in W 10 in D 1 in
Pair of Del Conte Sterling Silver Triangular Weave Style Picture Frames with Woo
By Del Conte
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Del Conte sterling silver picture frames in triangular, weave style pattern with wood backs. Outer dimensions are 10 by 12''; inner dimensions are 9 1/2'' by 7 1/4''. It is i...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Italian Reliquary
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Italian reliquary with silver thread double-headed eagle and foliage and floral motif on a red silk background. Inscriptions with sev...
Wood
Photo Frame Made of Marquetry and Brass by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
Photo Frame made of black and brown shell marquetry with brass edges. Back and interior lined with a high quality black microsuede. For photo 8x10". (This frame exists for pho...
Brass
$2,500
H 6 in W 4.25 in D 0.5 in
Portrait Miniature of Sir George Douglas, Baronet by J.C.D. Engleheart, 1821
By John Cox Dillman Engleheart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very fine likeness of handsome nobleman Sir George Douglas, inscribed on the reverse "Engelheart fecit 1824 London." The painting is contained in a beautifully cast bronze doré frame with the sitter's name engraved...
Bronze
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping
Giltwood
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 25 in W 21 in D 3 in
Early 19th Century English Pair of Regency Period Portraits
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 19th Century English Pair of Regency Period Portraits. Full length portraits of a husband and wife in a household setting oil on wood panel. Bot...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 0.75 in W 5.5 in D 7.75 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Birdseye Maple Frame Two Jackdaw Eggs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of two birds eggs, mounted in a Georgian Period Birdseye Maple frame – Circa 1835. These watercolors were largely painte...
Birdseye Maple, Paper
Sold
H 0.75 in W 5.5 in D 7.75 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Maple Frame Thrush & Nightingale Eggs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of two birds eggs, mounted in a Georgian Period Birdseye Maple frame – Circa 1835. These watercolors were largely painte...
Birdseye Maple, Paper
Sold
H 1.25 in W 8 in D 8 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame, a Yellow Wasp Study
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of a yellow-jacket wasp, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame – circa 1825-1835. These watercolors were largely p...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1.25 in W 8 in D 8.5 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame, a Bumble Bee Study
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor study of a bumble bee, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame – circa 1825-1835. These watercolors were largely painted by...
Fruitwood, Paper
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Small Picture Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Tiffany & Co. small picture frame. Opening for a 3.75”’x 3”‘ photo. Wooden easel back. Dust bag is included. Brand stamp on the underside.
Sterling Silver
Italian Murano Art Glass and Brass Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian Murano art glass and brass picture frame, circa mid-20th century, Europe. Frame has brass corners with small fleur-de-li...
Brass
Sold
H 2 in W 14 in D 15.25 in
English Regency Period Framed Watercolor, Map of the West Indies & Caribbean Sea
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor, circa 1780-1810, mounted in a Georgian period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1.75 in W 8 in D 8.5 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame, Speckled Grouse Egg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency period watercolor, circa 1780-1835, mounted in a Georgian period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1.75 in W 8 in D 8.5 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame, Red Speckled Egg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor, circa 1780-1835, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1.75 in W 8 in D 8.5 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame Black Speckled Egg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency period watercolor, circa 1780-1835, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1 in W 11.5 in D 13.75 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor Fruitwood Frame Primrose Cabbage Rose
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency Period watercolor, circa 1780-1835, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper
Sold
H 1 in W 11.25 in D 13.5 in
English Regency Period Original Watercolor in Fruitwood Frame, Daisy and Dahila
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original British School Regency period watercolor, circa 1780-1835, mounted in a Georgian period fruitwood frame. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristo...
Fruitwood, Paper