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.
Antique pair of English Regency period classical bronze urns, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
This very elegant pair of English Regency period classical bronze urns are of small proportions and made to a very stylish and sophisticated design. They stand on plain square bases ...
Bronze
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
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.
$2,723Sale Price|20% Off
Original Regency circa 1815 Hardwood Wine Cooler Lion Brass Handles Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this this exceptionally rare solid mahogany Lion hairy paw feet wine cooler A very good looking well made and totally original piece. It has all...
Hardwood
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
Elegant Brass Candle Holder Set of 5, Danish Mid-Century Design, 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 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Candelabra
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional pair of early 19th century bronze and ormolu six light candelabra, each with scrolling foliate branches above tapering reeded stems, on beautifully decorated lion's fe...
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Pair of Regency Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each Greek style classically draped male figure raising a three-light oil lamp shaped top on a square stepped plinth.
Bronze
Pair of Antique 19th Century English Regency Candelabra
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Early 19th Century English Regency Ormolu and Marble Candelabra. Gorgeous piece.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Pair Regency Cut Glass Bon-Bon Dishes
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair Regency cut glass bon-bon dishes. Circa 1820.
Cut Glass
19th Century English Bombay Table Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely inlaid. Unusual shape. Footed. Mixture of exotic woods.
Wood
Early 19th Century Regency Pair of Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency pair of bronze candlesticks in the form of winged sphinx raised over stepped plinth surmounted with ornate candle nozzle with foliate motif.
Bronze
$8,986 / set
Pair of Regency Classical Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Regency classical gilt bronze vases, each in the form of a shallow gadrooned bowl with an acorn finial supported by three goat-headed terms ...
Bronze
19th Century Pair Regency Bronze Three Light Candlesticks
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of Regency bronze three light candlesticks, in the Classical style, patinated with gilt highlights, and featuring Greek cut key banding. The reeded naturalistic pil...
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform 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
19th Century (Early) George III English Regency Bronze Urns
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century (Early) George III English Regency Bronze Urns Beautiful urns purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Bronze
English Regency Pagoda Form Tea Caddy
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Unusual pagoda form caddy finely figured veneers. Interior lids are original and match the exterior of the caddy, resting on brass ball feet
Tortoise Shell
Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra
Located in Buchanan, MI
Single Large Crystal and Wedgewood Four-Arm Candleabra, Electrified
Crystal