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 Oak English Biscuit Barrel Bucket Utensil Holder, Silver Plate
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found on a recent European trip, this charming barrel or bucket is quintessentially English. This particular piece features silver plate and a shield. The bucket has a ceramic lin...
Silver Plate
18th Century Liverpool/ Herculaneum Hand Painted Porcelain Cream Jug, c 1795
Located in Central England, GB
A rare 18th century liverpool/ herculaneum porcelain cream jug, circa 1795. This rare cream jug dates to circa 1795 and is Liverpool porcelain. ...
Porcelain
Pair Antique 19th century English Regency Chinoiserie Tole Tea Caddy Canisters
Located in Litchfield, CT
Large pair antique 19th century English Chinoiserie tole tea canisters. Decorated with Chinese figures in black on a rare yellow ground with gilt highlights. The tops nicely shaped l...
Metal
19th Century English Regency Polished Steel Warwick Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
English Regency Warwick Vase in polished steel. A handsome rendition of the famous Roman original. After it's excavation from Hadrian's Villa in the late 18th century it caused a sen...
Steel
Handmade Black Marquina Marble Utensil Holder
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Black Marquina marble utensil holder, made in Italy, Carrara. Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and s...
Marble
English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English sheffield silver plate tea caddy / thin biscuit with exterior design details and attached covered top . The tea caddy ...
Silver Plate, Copper
Handmade Grey Bardiglio Marble Utensil Holder
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Grey Bardiglio marble utensil holder, made in Italy, Carrara. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades)...
Marble
Handmade White Carrara Marble Utensil Holder
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
White Carrara marble utensil holder, made in Italy, Carrara. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades)...
Marble
Antique Regency Tea Caddy, Mahogany, Early 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
This stunning antique Regency tea caddy is a beautiful example of early 19th-century craftsmanship. Meticulously constructed, it features a rich mahogany veneer with a warm, deep lus...
Mahogany
19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy is a decorative collectible box designed to store tea. This tea caddy reflects the popular aesthetic of the 19th century, featuring intricat...
Wood
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
A handsome 19th century English tortoiseshell tea caddy, beautifully crafted with sterling silver trim and a matching sterling silver escutcheon. The lid is centered with an elegant ...
Silver
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
H 11.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Antique English Silver Plated and Cut Glass Epergne
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique English silver plated epergne. Four arm design, each with cut glass inset bowl. Center cut glass inset bowl. Stand alone is 10” tall x 5.5” deep x 8.25” wide. Stamped on the ...
Silver Plate
Early 19th century Regency mahogany tea caddy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century regency mahogany tea caddy circa 1820. Made using flame mahogany veneers. Brass handles with star motif to the sides. Canted corners strung with satinwood. Sta...
Mahogany
$1,400
H 17 in Dm 9 in
19th-Century English Wuyi Tea Tole Canister with Chinese Calligraphy, 1850-1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-Century English Wuyi Tea Tole Canister with Chinese Calligraphy A large 19th-century English iron-red and gilt-decorated toleware tea canister, retaining its original fitted li...
Metal, Tin
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina! When tea first arrived in Europe in t...
Brass
Sold
H 4 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Antique English Coalport Porcelain Sucrier Sugar Bowl Centerpiece Regency 1820
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Very Stylish English Coalport Hand Painted Sucrier Sugar Bowl and cover of traditional circular outline, first quarter of the Nineteenth Century. The dome formed cover with centr...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair Large Blue and White Jars Hexagonal England circa 1825
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of large blue and white hexagonal jars is exquisite. Made in England circa 1825 with 18.5" tall x 12.5" deep and wide dimensions, this pair is ...
Pearlware
Regency Cut Glass Lidded Pedestal Jar
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique cut glass jar with matching cover dating from around 1825. The jar stands on a thick round star cut based foot with a round bulbous body with diamond and prism cu...
Cut Glass
Extraordinarily Fine Early Dutch "Diamond" Cut Crystal and Silver Tea Caddy
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
One of the finest antique tea caddies ever seen with magnificent "diamond cut" handcut crystal and a Dutch silver beaded collar with two hallmarks; ...
Silver
Pair of Royal Coat of Arms Porcelain Jar Table Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stately pair of porcelain jar or vase table lamps featuring British style coat of arms motifs on each side. Each side depicts a royal shield in Lapis sur...
Brass
Sold
H 23 in W 10.5 in D 8 in
Pair of English Regency Green Chinoiserie Tôle Peinte Tea Canisters Mounted
Located in Nashville, TN
as lamps .Each dark green front with gilt highlighted Oriental robed figures. Large swell form size and now mounted as lamps on ebonized wood bases. Well...
Pair of Blue and White Jars Made in England circa 1820
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this pair of English blue and white hexagonal covered jars decorated with peonies and leaves with gilded outlines. The handles are formed as stylized foo lion...
Pearlware
Early 19th Century English Regency Tole Chestnut Urn
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century English Regency tole chestnut urn with a hand-painted floral decorative motif, a removable lid with acorn finials, original lions...
Bronze, Tin
English Lidded Vase Attributed to Worcester
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A large covered vase on base. The finial of the lid, a gilt seated kylin clutching a ball in its raised right forepaw. The shield-shaped body and circular socle foot are painted and ...