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.
$1,226Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very early 19th century chemist display carboy, circa 1820 possibly earlier The bulbous center sits on a stepped base with a swan like neck and a fine cut glass oversized stopp...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Framed Vintage Gilded "Gudgeon & Sons" Sign from 19th Century, England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This distinguished sign reading "Gudgeon & Sons," rendered in gilded and ebonized wood, hails from the era of English auctioneers based in Winchester. The piece showcases a striking ...
Wood
18th Century Apothecary Sign
Located in Napa, CA
18th Century Apothecary sign was created with wrought iron, fer forge. Beautiful details of the medical symbol of a winged staff with two snakes intertwined.
Wrought Iron
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...
Zinc
$2,037
H 16.15 in W 39.38 in D 0.6 in
Antique Vintage French Double Sided Glass Pharmacy Chemist Apothecary Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A beautiful and rare double sided glass 'Pharmacie' sign mounted in its original frame, France circa 1930. - The sign is of exceptional quality and has glass to both sides, light w...
Glass
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign Made from double sided glass with reflective silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist tra...
Metal
19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
19th century cast iron shoemaker’s trade sign A highly decorative example of a late 19th century cast iron French shoemakers shop trade sign. Hand crafted from a hand cut iron metal...
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign A rare double sided pharmacy trade sign, origins of France, dated to the early part of the 20th century, made from metal ...
Metal
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted. Great Size !
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted. Great Size ! Wonderful patina..Retains original metal strap hanging brackets... Bottom ball (finial) repainted at some point,, re...
Wood
19th Century Zinc Sign/Enseigne
Located in Brecht, BE
Quirky rare to find zinc sign/enseigne, made for a French hatmaker ... great patina.
Iron, Zinc
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century barber's pole hand carved hand painted Antique barber's pole 5.5" diameter x 42" high The support measures 9" wide x 34" high Good antique condition The...
Wood
19th century French café sign ...
Located in Brecht, BE
a unique find, a 19th century sign from a French café "Les Bons Amis" which means "Best friends" lovely item for your kitchen, mancave, restaurant, café ... I can offer free profess...
Glass, Pine
19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign for an old upholstery shop in San Francisco. A rare piece of San Francisco history...
Wood