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 Glazed Ceramic Duck Casserole Dish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your kitchen with whimsical charm using this Vintage Regency Glazed Ceramic Duck Casserole Dish, a delightful blend of functionality and ret...
Ceramic
Vintage Regency French Majolica Asparagus Ceramic Plate
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A delightful and highly collectible piece of French ceramic art, this antique majolica asparagus plate is a true classic of the barbotine tradition. The plate is masterfully molded t...
Pottery
Regency period sterling silver pap boat made by Samuel Knight in London in 1817
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1817 by Samuel Knight , this handsome, Regency period, Antique Sterling Silver Pap Boat, features a shell and gadroon border. The pap boat measures 1.5"(3.5cm...
Sterling Silver
Cellarette, 19th Century English Regency Period Wine Server in Mahogany
Located in Dallas, TX
Cellarette, 19th century English Regency Period wine server in mahogany was designed for keeping chilled wine in the entertaining room, but makes an interesting conversation piece as...
Mahogany
Vintage Boho Christofle "Torsada" Cake Plates - A Pair
By Christofle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of French vintage elegance to your table with this pair of Christofle “Torsada” cake plates, featuring the iconic twist (torsada) rim design that embodies timeless sophis...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Christofle "Torsada" Covered Vegetable Dish
By Christofle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of timeless French elegance to your table with this vintage Christofle “Torsada” covered vegetable dish. Expertly crafted, this piece features the signature Torsada (twis...
Ceramic
Regency Sheffield Silver Plate Bread Basket, England, circa 1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large Sheffield silver plate Regency period gondola shape bread basket with loop ring handles, England, early 19th century.
Silver Plate
Vintage Regency Fluted Birds Cake Plate
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add romantic charm to your serveware with this exquisite Vintage Regency Vermont Freres Fluted Cake Plate, delicately adorned with hand-painted birds and florals. The gently scallope...
Porcelain
Vintage Regency Royal Worcester Lidded Casserole
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your table with this Vintage Regency Royal Worcester Lidded Casserole. Featuring elegant detailing and fine porcelain, it’s perfect for stylish serving and timeless sophistic...
Porcelain
19th Century Regency Antique Sterling Silver Chafing Dish by William Stroud
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1813 by William Stroud, this magnificent, Regency period, antique, sterling silver chafing dish, features ...
Sterling Silver
19th century English wine cooler, Regency, sarcophagus shape, flame mahogany
Located in Central England, GB
This superb English Regency period lead lined wine cooler is of a sarcophagus design intentionally retrained in its decoration to promote and show off the magnificent quality of the ...
Mahogany
Pair Early 19th Century Worcester English Porcelain Griffins
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair early 19th Century Worcester English porcelain griffins decorated with a simulated bronze effect, on a shaped flat base decorated with gilding, a gilt & candle sconce on it’s ba...
Porcelain
Regency Sheffield Tea Urn, Silver Plate, Hand-Crafted, England, 1825
Located in Montreal, QC
This is a splendid example of the form. that breaks away from Neo-Classical plainness into exuberant and lively ornament. The two handled urn is banded with leaves and acanthus. The...
Silver Plate
Vintage Regency 19th Century Gien French Faience Earthenware Chocolate Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning vintage Regency Chocolate set. Made by the coveted Gien group and marked on the bottom. A charming hand painted set open deep rich colors. Acquired from a Palm Beach estat...
Earthenware
Very Rare Regency Hardwood Cellarette of Sarcophagus Form Raised on Turned Legs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this exceptionally rare Regency Mahogany Cellarette of Sarcophagus form in solid mahogany on turned legs A very good looking and well-made pi...
Hardwood
Vintage Oval Tole Fluffy White Dog Portrait Serving Tray
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage oval tole serving tray with a central portrait of a fluffy white dog in an outdoor setting surrounded by a dark red border with a shallow lip with gold and black painted desi...
Metal
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
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Open Cellarette Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine early 19th Century English Regency mahogany open cellarette attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, of open sarcophagus form with an overhung and carved top edge over panelled sid...
Mahogany
Swansea Porcelain Trio c1818
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Swansea Porcelain trio Date : c1818 Period : Regency Marks : Impressed SWANSEA mark to suacer Origin : Swansea, Wales Colour : Polychrome Pattern : Typical swasnsea gilded...
Porcelain
Paul Storr Silver-Gilt Grape Shears
By Paul Storr
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredibly rare and exceptional pair of grape shears by Paul Storr, one of the most esteemed silversmiths in history. With handles laden with grapevine...
Silver
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
New Hall Double Handled Sugar Bowl and Cover
Located in Long Island City, NY
New hall double handled sugar bowl and cover. Porcelain, gilt in a floral pattern with blue glaze on a white ground. Numbered “476” on the base.
Porcelain
19th Century Late Regency Pollard Oak Sarcophagus Form Cellarette
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century late Regency pollard oak sarcophagus form cellarette stamped Wilkinsons & Sons, 14 Ludgate Hill, the hinged lid enclosing a six division lined interior with brass ratche...
Oak
19th Century Regency Period Papier Mâché and Cut-Glass Decanter Wagon
Located in London, GB
A Regency papier mâché and brass-mounted Decanter Wagon Constructed from dark painted papier mâché, the coaster trolley having four wheels and a bra...
Brass
Two Pairs of Regency-Period Silver-Gilt Grape Shears
By William Eley & William Fearn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Comprised of silver-gilt, these two pairs of beautifully crafted grape shears were designed and manufactured in by famed London silversmiths William Eley and William Fearn. The pairs’ handles are cast elegantly with Bacchanal motifs of fruiting grape vines and baskets bursting with fresh produce. Once used for snipping grapes, these Regency-period scissors bear the monogram “AD” for their original 1815 owner and boast an impressive royal English provenance. Hallmarked London 1815 with maker's mark of "WE / WF" Measures: 7 1/4" length x 2 1/4" width Provenance: Gifted as a wedding present from H.R.H. The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester...
Silver
19th Century Regency Mahogany Wine Cooler with Brass Lion's Head Handles
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period figured mahogany and ebony edged sarcophagus wine cooler having original shaped brass lions head carrying handles and ebonized carved lions paw f...
Mahogany
Vintage Regency Royal Worcester Platter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of elegance to your dining with this Vintage Regency Royal Worcester Platter. Its classic design and fine porcelain craftsmanship make it a timeless piece for both displa...
Porcelain
A Regency mahogany wine cooler
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency mahogany wine cooler, of sarcophagus form with reeded ebony edges and mouldings, applied with ormolu lion’s mask ring handles and bold lion’s paw feet, the hinged top openi...
Ormolu
19th Century English Mahogany Wine Cooler of the Regency Period
Located in London, GB
A good wine cooler of the Regency period. Constructed in a finely patinated San Domingo mahogany; rising from oblate bun feet, of waisted sarcophagus form, ...
Mahogany