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.
19th Century Regency Pair of Triple Branch Wall Sconces
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Regency pair of triple branch gilt metal wall sconces featuring elaborately scrolled candle holder light fittings with acanthus leaf ...
Metal
Very Fine Regence Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Regence style gilt bronze chandelier. Great detail. 8-light. France, circa 1900. Dimensions: Height 28" x diameter 26" AH568.
Bronze
Antique Chandelier, Regency Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fine and elegant eighteen-light Regency style chandelier of gilt bronze.
Bronze
A set of three French 19th century Regence st. Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive set of three French 19th century Regence st. Ormolu sconces after a model by Charles Andrew Boulle. The sconces have an impressive circular backplate with five large...
Ormolu
Pair of Regency style Cobalt Pineapple Candlesticks
Located in Atlanta, GA
English late 19th century. Pair of candlesticks in the regency style, each having a cut glass nozzle and bobeche hung with faceted prisms, pineapple-form stem, cobalt glass cylindric...
Bronze
Regence Style Giltwood Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Regence style giltwood chandelier - original water gilding. France, circa 1910. Dimensions: Height 38", diameter 33" NA129.
Giltwood
$10,250
Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Regency stylegilt bronze chandelier featuring Lion's Masks. France, circa 1900. 16 lights Dimensions: height 39" diameter 32".
Bronze
Fabulous Pair of Gilt Bronze and Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fabulous pair of gilt bronze and crystal wall sconces. 9-light Dimensions: Height 46", width 33", diameter 21" CW4568.
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Regency Pair of Bronze and Gilt Brass Table Lamps
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century Regency pair of bronze and gilt brass table lamps in the form of miniature street lamps, each with hexagonal pierced lantern.
Brass, Gilt Metal
19th Century English Red Painted Tole Urn as a Lamp
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century English red tole painted with gold design urn as a lamp.
Tôle
$22,500 / set
Antique Magnificent Giltwood Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of opulent and extraordinary Regence style hand carved gilded wood sconces with five electrified lights, featuring a female mask at the bottom and lion mask at the top, two pair...
Wood
Pair of Continental Bronze and Ormolu and White Marble Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A fine quality pair of Continental bronze & ormolu Candlesticks, having engine turned nozzles raised on black marble stems ending on white marble circular bases.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Set of Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Lustre Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
An unusual set of early 19th century bronze & ormolu Lustre candlesticks, 2 singles & 1 double, having pierced canopies raised on unusual “hippocampi” supported on plinth with acanth...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th Century Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th Century ormolu Candlesticks having beaded nozzles, supported on tapering stems with lion's paw feet ending on engine turned circular bases. Now converted to lamp...
Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Twelve-Light Crystal Chandelier. Great scale.
Located in Buchanan, MI
A neoclassical style gilt bronze twelve-light chandelier. Measures: height 41 x diameter 29 inches. Beautiful view from below. Feel free to call or email with further questions.
Crystal
$21,798 / set
Pair of Regency Cut-Glass Candelabra by John Blades
By John Blades
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare pair of Regency twin-light gilt bronze mounted, pillar and file cut, glass candelabra by John Blades. The firm of John Blades was first recorded in the London guide for 178...
Cut Glass
$1,650 / set
Vintage Regency Gilt Leaf Sconce - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold statement with this exquisite pair of vintage Regency-style gilt leaf sconces. Featuring elegant gilded metal foliage and double candle-style arms, these sconces exude cl...
Metal
Vintage Regency Faux Horn Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Illuminate your space with elegance through this Vintage Regency Faux Horn Lamp. Featuring gracefully arched faux horn accents, this lamp perfectly captures the opulence of Regency d...
Metal
Vintage Regency Crossed Swords Swag Wall Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage regency wall sconce. A glamorous swag design with two crossed swords. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Metal
Tall Laquered Table Lamp
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Very nice laquered and gilt tall table lamp, in overall excellent condition, rewired and ready for use. 27" HIGH 7" DIAMETER 34" WITH SHADE You are welcome to view this item at our...
Wood
19th Century English Tea Canaster Converted into Lamp. Lovely Color And Patina.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome 19th century English tea canaster converted into lamp. Lovely Color And Patina.
Metal