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.
$900Sale Price|46% Off
19c Naive Oil Painting of a Young Girl in an Architectural Scene
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A 19c naive oil painting on a thin wooden panel of a young girl in an architectural and wooded landscape in a black painted frame with gilt slip. A regency period portrait...
Paint
Vintage Regency Signed Interiors Painting on Paper
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Original oil painting on paper. A chic interiors composition in clear colors. A glamorous bedroom scene in a gilt frame. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Paint, Paper
Vintage Vertical Horse Hind Legs Sketch Drawing
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage sketch of a horses hind legs on paper with pencil. The sketch comes framed and protected with glass. Acquired at a Palm Beach estate.
Glass, Paper
Early 19th Century Oil Portrait of a Handsome Young Man
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century oil portrait of a handsome young man An original painting of a young man wearing his best suit of clothes. Original oil on ...
Canvas
$1,230Sale Price|25% Off
H 18.9 in W 24.02 in D 0.79 in
Late Naive English School "Bull Broke Loose" Bull Baiting Oil on Canvas
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A late 18th century oil on canvas depicting a bull baiting scene In England during the time of Queen Anne, bull-baiting was practised in London at Hoc...
Maple, Canvas
Signed Southwestern Landscape Painting with Horses, Dated 1994
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This evocative Southwestern landscape painting, signed and dated 1994, presents a stylized desert scene animated by a group of galloping horses set against monumental rock formations...
Canvas
Signed Oil Painting of Horses on Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This oil painting is signed in the lower left hand illegible signature. Very well done in great condition and retains the original frame.
19th C Signed Framed Horse Litho
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C signed Framed Horse Litho By Olso.
Paper
Stunning Modernist Architectural Rendering, Drawing by G.F.Hahn
Located in Buffalo, NY
Original MCM Pen and ink architectural study for a Palm Springs Residence (unbuilt). Framed and signed; J.H.Hahn, Reminiscent of the famed Dinah Shore hous...
Lead
$595
H 16 in W 20.5 in D 2 in
Vintage Oil on Board Painting Framed Still Life Modernist MCM Signed 1963 19x20"
Located in Wilton, CT
Vintage still life oil painting on board depicting a pitcher and a bowl of lemons on a checkered towel. Nicely done in confident technique with balanced composition, good color, and ...
Paint
$1,695
H 36 in W 30 in D 2 in
C1930 Impressionist Ashcan Original Painting of a Cafe Scene Oil on Canvas
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Impressionist view of a interior cafe with a chef and patrons. Colorful palette with a Ashcan style in the Painting created about 1930. Unsigned. Framed in what appears to be the ori...
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
Original Vintage Signed Folk Art Portrait Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Vintage Signed Folk Art Portrait Painting on Wood Panel Charming half-length primitive portrait painting of a young girl on a wood panel. She is wearing a blue dress and ho...
Wood
$795
H 5 in W 26.25 in D 1.5 in
Japanese Asian Hand Painted Lacquered Temple Shrine Plaque Horses, 19th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and intricate work likely originally from a Japanese temple. The hand painted scene depicts a single rider and group of frolicking horses set against a gorgeous countrysi...
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
$2,495
H 21.63 in W 37.13 in D 2 in
French Framed Oil Painting Featuring a Mediterranean Harbour Scene
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French oil painting on canvas of a Mediterranean harbour scene, featuring a view of sailboats and a picturesque town in an Impressionist style, signed in bottom right facing c...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Signed & Dated 1899 Horse Painting on Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19thc horse painting signed by E badge BODGE looks like it’s dated 1909 and it’s called the Arab ARAB beautiful beautiful horse painting on board with a rope frame rope braided...
Leather, Rope
Regency Oil Painting Still Life Fruit English Art
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Very bright and vivid oil painting of a classic still life scene in the Regency manner The arrangement includes fruit, a jug, roses and a goblet Artist has really captured the scene ...
Paint
Set of Three 19th Century West Indies Original Watercolors
Located in Hudson, NY
These original watercolors, shown here, are presumed to have been done in the West Indies in the late 18th or early 19th century. Purchased from the estate of a collector from Kensi...
Wood, Paint, Paper
Vintage Regency Signed Original Oil Portrait of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking vintage Regency oil portrait on canvas. A chic composition in the period style. Signed and dated by the artist. Acquired from a Palm Be...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Boho Regency Royal Academy Artist Original Oil Portrait
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage original oil portrait. A beautiful composition of an elegant lady. Signed by the artist and dated 1931. The artist , Jose Ruschty, was a student of Tbe Royal Academ...
Paint
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 1.97 in
Pair of Early 19th Century American Folk Art School Half Length Portraits
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An interesting pair of oil on canvas half length portraits of a well to do husband and wife drinking and relaxing in what seems to be very comfortable surroundings. Each painting has...
Canvas
Sold
H 19 in W 15 in D 1 in
Rare Six Early 19th Century Caricature Portrait Paintings of Spanish Actors
Located in Essex, MA
Rare set of six oil on canvas caricatures of known Spanish actors, actresses and notables from the early 19th century. -- All identified on reverse -- Original condition -- Rema...
Canvas