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 Glenda Goodacre Attributed Bronze Bust of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking vintage Boho bronze bust of man. A chic profile of a handsome young man. Attributed to the artist Glenda Goodacre. Unsigned. Acquired fro...
Bronze
Regency Mahogany Bracket Clock by John Garth, Harrogate
By John Garth
Located in Norwich, GB
Regency bracket clock by John Garth, Harrogate Mahogany case standing on a stepped base with ribbed decoration and standing on four brass bal...
Mahogany
Classical Terracotta Garden Urn Regency Rams Head Planter
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous English terracotta garden urn in the Regency manner Great for achieving that classical English garden look Wide planters features distinctive rams heads to...
Terracotta
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
Exceptional Suite of Pillar and File Cut Glass Jugs by John Blades
By John Blades
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An exceptional suite of pillar and file cut glass jugs by John Blades consisting of two claret jugs with applied cut handles and pillar and file stoppers...
Cut Glass
19th Century Regency Jardinière with Giltwood Carvings
Located in Dallas, TX
A charming regency jardinière. Made of ornate carved giltwood mixed with green painted sections. The top is removable. Three ornamental peacock handles are included that include abst...
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Pair of Regency Toleware Green and Gilt Vases
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An exquisite pair of toleware vases, decorated with classical painted imagery on a faux painted porphyry plinths. The vases also retain their original liners, age related knocks and...
Metal
Two Chinese Export Lacquered Tea Caddy for the English Market, Priced Per Caddy
Located in Buchanan, MI
A two Chinese export lacquered tea caddys for The English Market. With two fitted pewter canisters on the interior. Together with a Chinese export lacq...
Wood
Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Rare early 19th century George IV English porcelain inkwell by Coalport in the naturalistic form. Referred to as ‘Coalbrookdale’ this piece has been modeled in the form of a lemon fr...
Porcelain
19th Century English Bombay Table Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely inlaid. Unusual shape. Footed. Mixture of exotic woods.
Wood
19th Century English Silver and Tortoise Inkwell Signed Mappin and Webb
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century English Mappin and Webb silver and tortoise inkwell with original glass liner for the ink.
Inkwell Regency Gilded Bronze Porcelain England \\\'800
Located in Milano, IT
Porcelain inkwell, with a shaped body entirely enamelled with chinoiserie-style motifs: there are large red flowers on a decorated blue background, on the sides two reserves in which...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century White Marble and Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th Century bronze & ormolu Candlesticks in the form of cherubs holding engine-turned & leaf decorated sconces flanked by scrolled arms, supported on white marble cylinder plinths...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Regency Period Bronze and Ormolu Pen Holder
Located in London, GB
An unusual early 19th century bronze & ormolu Penholder surmounted by “Sander” in the form of classical urn with allegorical figures, supported on square plinth base.
Bronze, Ormolu
Handsome Collection of Seven 19th Century English Staffordshire Bust Priced/Bust
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome collection of seven 19th century English Staffordshire bust of gentlemen. Range of measurement from 7.5" - 12", Priced Per Bust.
Porcelain
Vintage Boho Original Biomorphic Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Channel the ethereal, dreamy aesthetic of the 1980s Postmodern movement with this captivating ceramic letter holder or napkin stand. The piece features a double-walled sculptural des...
Ceramic
Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra
Located in Buchanan, MI
Single Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra, Electrified
Crystal
English Regency Desk Set in Form of British Sailors Defending a Fort with Mortar
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare and very unusual bronze desk set in the form of British sailors ( or Jack Tars) defending or more likely attacking a fort with mortars. Set on bun feet with what ap...
Bronze
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