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.
Antique Dolphin Arm Venetian Grotto Swivel Brown Leather Chesterfield Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this super rare and highly collectable, circa 1830 Italian Venetian, fully restored swivel armchair What a find! I have never seen another carved with th...
Leather, Walnut
$10,900
Rare Specimen Burl Oak Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
An exceptional one-of-a-kind estate-made vernacular armchair crafted to show off an ancient specimen oak burl. The front of the chair is of Regency design, with sinuous curved arms a...
Oak
Vintage Regency Hand Painted Tromp L’oiel Swag Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Regency arm chairs. Brilliant hand painted Tromp l,oiel swag detail. Blue velvet seats with thr chic patina from time. Purchased in Italy and brought to th...
Velvet
Regency circa 1815 Fluted Barrel Back Leather Wing Armchair and Matching Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original hand dyed Regency circa 1815 fluted barrel back armchair and matching footstool A lovely pair and of the finest quality ...
Leather, Hardwood
1970s Tufted Regency Style Armchairs by Marge Carson in Mahogany
By Marge Carson
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Cotton, Mahogany
Large and Imposing Regency Nautical Chair Made for the Alliance Assurance Comp
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large and imposing Regency nautical chair made for the Alliance assurance company, the rectangular leather covered back, padded arms and seat surmoun...
Leather, Wood
Pair of French Carved Walnut Regence Style Fauteuils
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully carved pair of French Regence style armchair frames in walnut from the 19th century.
18th Century Carved Wood Armchair with Original Gilt Patina
Located in PARIS, FR
A large 18th-century armchair in carved wood, distinguished by its sculptural presence and refined proportions. The frame is richly shaped with scrolling arms and cabriole legs conne...
Wood
Regency Style Childs Arm Chair This is a 19th Century chair with an upholste
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Regency Style Childs Arm Chair This is a 19th Century chair with an upholstered seat, it has been upholstered with a Silk regency stripe in green and gold, the chair has a curved...
Walnut
Antique Regency Period Armchair
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Regency period armchair, made in England and dating from around the 1815-1830 period. It is of wonderful quality, with stunning gilt bronze mounts on the armrest an...
Bronze
Pair of English Regency Mahogany Leather Tufted Arm Chairs w/ Reeded Legs C 1815
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Regency Mahogany leather tufted curvature arm chairs with stylized lyre back supports, curvature leather tacked seats, and resting on bulbous fluted reeded legs with ...
Brass
English Regency Caned Child's Chair, Hand-Carved Wood, Circa 1750
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency child's chair featuring a curved crest rail resting on turned supports with open space for a safety bar (not included), and a caned back and seat. The chair's front l...
Wood
$18,000 / set
Pair of French Regence Gold Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Regence style (19th Cent) walnut Armchairs with gold upholstery.
Gold
Pair Regency Arm Chairs Bergere Backs
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a refined pair of Regency Revival arm chairs Circa 1930 on this pair Elegant tub-shaped back with a gently curved top rail Classic cane panel backs, adding lightness ...
Mahogany
REGENCY BRONZED PARCEL-GILT LiBRARY ARMCHAIR AFTER A DESIGN BY GEORGE SMITH 1815
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, super collectable Regency Bronzed Parcel-Gilt Library armchair after a design by G...
Upholstery, Hardwood
A large and fine pair of rosewood Regency armchairs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large and fine pair of rosewood Regency armchairs, each with square backs and shell and scroll carved cresting rail, scrolling lion’s head arm supports and turned, gadrooned legs, ...
Rosewood
Set of 4 Antique French Régence Style Gold Leaf Armchairs, Circa 1885.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 4 Antique French Régence Style Gold Leaf Armchairs, Circa 1885.
Wood, Silk
STUNNING VINTAGE CHESTERFIELD TUFTED PETROL BROWN LEATHER LIBRARY ARMCHAiR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very comfortable and decorative vintage Chesterfield hand tufted library reading armchair in petrol bro...
Leather, Oak
Antique Regency circa 1810-1820 Claw & Ball Oak Framed Blue Leather Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely hand made in England Regency circa 1810-1820 oak framed Gentleman’s tub armchair with Royal blue leather upholstery A very good looking and d...
Leather, Oak
$8,500 / set
18th Century French Regence Walnut Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly upholstered with silk velvet and Luigi Bevilacqua fabric. Comfortable.
Velvet, Walnut