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.
Early 19th Century Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency convex mirror, the plate of circular form set within reeded slip and ball decorated surround surmounted pair intricately carved pair of trumpets and star e...
Giltwood
Vintage Regency Burl and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exuding Regal Splendor: The Vintage Regency Burl and Ormolu Mirror. Elevate your decor with this exquisite piece, merging opulent craftsmanship with Ameri...
Mirror
Vintage Regency Currey and Company Fret Work Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace classic elegance with our Vintage Regency Currey and Company Fret Work Mirror. American-crafted by Currey and Company, this mirror showcases intricate fretwork detailing, ble...
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Regency Gilt Wood Rectangular Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This rectangular mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Regency style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, with an empha...
Wood
Vintage Regency Monumental Wrought Iron Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Crafted with timeless elegance, our Vintage Regency Monumental Wrought Iron Mirror embodies the grace and grandeur of American style. Its intricate wrought iron frame exudes sophisti...
Wrought Iron
Large Regency `Fentham` Convex Mirror
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
An excellent example of Regency carved gilt wood convex mirror by Thomas Fentham, with acanthus, foliate and scrolled pediment surmounted with eagle holding balls and chains in his b...
Glass, Mercury Glass, Giltwood
Regency Style Giltwood Pier Mirror
Located in London, GB
A large giltwood pier mirror in the Regency taste, the breakfront cornice with suspended balls above frieze with central panel, the plate flanked by barley twist columns. Dimensio...
Giltwood
Regency Dressing Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A Very Pretty Regency Mahogany Dressing Mirror. 19th century Featuring 3 Shaped Mahogany Lined Drawers (note the fine dovetails) Having turned Bun feet. The Swivel Mirror Support...
Mahogany
English 19th Century Regency St. Giltwood Mirror Labeled Thomas Fentham and Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely decorative English 19th century Regency st. patinated and giltwood convex mirror labeled Thomas Fentham and Co. circa 1830. The...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Neoclassical Regency Gilt Wood Rectangular Hand-Carved Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This rectangular mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Regency style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, with an empha...
Wood
$1,278 / set
An Early 19Th Century Oak Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
An Early 19th Century Mahogany Overmantel Mirror. The mahogany frame formed of architectural style columns with decorative gilt terminals. The lovely time worn mirror framed with a s...
Mirror, Oak
Neoclassical Regency Style Acanthus Gold Foil Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency style handcrafted mirror, made in Spain circa 1970. The mirror features a round hand-carved wooden frame adorned with acanthus leaf detailing and finished in gol...
Gold Leaf
19th Century English Regency Gilt Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century carved giltwood mirror. The oval mirror plate within rectangular frame, surmounted by classical frieze with figures flanked by Reeded Pilasters.
Mirror, Giltwood
Neoclassical Regency Style Round Gold Foil Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with gold foil finished. Spain, 1970.
Wood
Neoclassical Regency Style Rectangular Gold Foil Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foil finished, Spain, 1970.
Wood
Early 19th Century Gilt and Ebonised Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century gilt and ebonised compartmental overmantel mirror. The mirrored glass flanked by robe twist half columns with similar molding above.
Mirror, Ebony, Giltwood
19th Century 'Regency Period, 1820s' English Giltwood Convex Mirror with Unusual
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Regency Period, 1820s) English giltwood convex mirror with unusual bold carved eagle surmounted to top and foliate carved decoration on bottom.
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Regency Carved Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century Regency mirror, the period plate set within carved giltwood pierced frame of cartouche form surmounted with pierced scr...
Mirror, Giltwood
Continental Flame Mahogany Pier Mirror
Located in Buchanan, MI
Continental flame mahogany pier mirror.
Mahogany, Mirror
Continental Giltwood Mirror with Original Glass
Located in Buchanan, MI
Continental giltwood mirror with original glass.
Mirror, Giltwood
Neoclassical Regency Style Gold Foil Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency style handcrafted mirror, made in Spain circa 1970. The mirror features a rectangular hand carved wooden structure with a gold foil finish. Fully handcrafted, th...
Wood