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.
English Regency Arm Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous English Regency style arm chair. Perfect for a desk chair, bedroom chair, or dressing room chair. Beautiful Paisley pattern textile covering. Add some architecture to your i...
Wood
Pair of English Regency Period Early 19th Century Black and Gold Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Regency period painted wood armchairs from the early 19th century, with gold and black décor and leopard style upholstery. Created in Eng...
Upholstery, Wood
Regence Style Caned Fauteuil with Cushion
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Regence style walnut fauteuil caned seat and back with cushion.
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Italian Neoclassical Cream and Gold Parcel Gilt Armchair Winged Maiden Griffins
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian neoclassical cream and gold parcel gilt armchair with winged maiden griffins. Item features carved and parcel gilt figural winged female griffins...
Wood
Regency Wicker Armchair with Cane Seat, England, Circa 1900
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency style (19/20th Cent) natural wicker arm chair with hour glass base and cane seat.
Wicker
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Armchair with Worn Red Leather
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency mahogany arm chair with a sleigh back & spool design under both arms upholstered in a worn red tufted leather. Antique condition, leather is cracking/aged.
Leather
$2,186Sale Price|20% Off
Mahogany Office Armchair with Swan Neck Decorations from English Regency Period
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant office armchair with swan neck decorations is made of carved wood. This is an English work from the Regency Period. Circa 1830
Wood
Antique French Armchair from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Located in Bronx, NY
An antique French armchair from France. A hand carved solid wood frame and brass detailing in good condition. Upholstered in cowhide beautifull...
Wood
$3,812Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
Pair of Polished Regency Mahogany Armchairs from Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of early 19th century Regency period mahogany armchairs, having paneled scroll over backs above leaf carved and lion's head crossrails. The armchairs having lion's paw...
Mahogany
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
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
Irish Regency Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Stamford, CT
An early 19th century Irish Regency carved and upholstered walnut armchair.
Walnut
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
$2,559Sale Price|20% Off
STUNNING VINTAGE CHESTERFIELD TUFTED PETROL BROWN LEATHER LIBRARY ARMCHAiR
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
$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