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 Caned and Ebonized Mahogany Klismos Chair, Althorp, circa 1815
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this exceptionally fine and doubly rare circa 1815 English regency period chair of petite modified klismos form, the solid mahogany frame havi...
Brass
Pair English 19th Century Faux Bamboo And Rush Side Chairs C.1815
Located in London, GB
Pair Of English 19th Century Faux Bamboo And Rush Side Chairs C.1815 A pair of English Regency side chairs in solid wood with original rush seats. Slender turned legs, shaped stretc...
Faux Bamboo, Rush
Pair of English Regency Side Chairs attributed to Morel & Hughes, circa 1815
By Morel and Hughes
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Pair of circa 1815 English Regency period side chairs attributed to renowned cabinetmakers Morel & Hughes having parcel-gilt and gilt-metal mounted rosewood 'klismos-form' frames; th...
Ormolu
Pair of antique Regency mahogany hall chairs in the manner of Gillows
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
A pair of antique Regency mahogany hall chairs, the oval backs with gadrooned scroll carving terminating with domed paterae and supported by a pair of carved scrolls. The tapered boa...
Mahogany
Pair of English Regency Mahogany with Inlay Side Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of English Regency Mahogany with Inlay Side Chairs, Early 19th Century. They feature gently curved and splayed sabre legs, a rectangular back with curved crest rails ending scro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Antique English Regency Dining Chairs in Mahogany w/ Upholstered Seat
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine set of four English Regency dining chairs in mahogany with carved bugles resting on back chair rail below the top slat which is line inlaid, with turned front legs and saber r...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,768Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Regency Quality Carved Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique regency quality carved mahogany hall chairs having a quality carved mahogany shaped back, solid mahogany seats standing on elegant turned reeded tapering legs to the ...
Other
Early 1800s Regency Walnut Side Chair Side Chair with Needlepoint Upholstery
Located in Savannah, GA
This lovely Regency period side chair features a shield back and serpentine front and legs. The seat and back are nicely upholstered in needlepoint with a whimsical chrysanthemum pat...
Wool, Walnut
$3,049Sale Price / set|20% Off
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Regency Carved Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality pair of antique Regency carved mahogany hall chairs having outstanding quality carved mahogany shield shaped backs, shaped figured mahogany seats standing on ele...
Other
$1,303Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Regency quality mahogany desk chair having a quality carved mahogany top rail, shaped carved mahogany centre splat, scroll shaped open arms, newly reupholstered drop in seat ...
Mahogany
Regency Mahogany Hall Chair with Armorial Crest
Located in Essex, MA
The chair back with oval crest with painted monogram over a tapered splat with coat of arms , wood seat raised on circular tapered legs. From the Estate Of Drue Heinz. Sutton Place. ...
Yew
$1,691Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Side Chair, English, Walnut, Needlepoint, Bedroom, Hall Seat, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique lyre back side chair. An English, walnut and needlepoint embroidered bedroom or hall seat, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Charming needlepoint side cha...
Textile, Walnut
Pair of English Regency Era Painted Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of late 18th century mahogany hall chairs with shield form backs centered by oval reserves painted with an heraldic devices. Bow front seats are raised on tapered and reeded l...
Mahogany
Four Antique Regency Bergere Mother of Pearl Ebonised Side Occasional Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of original circa 1810-1820 Regency bergere ebonised with mother of pearl inlay side chairs A very good looking well made and decorative suite of chairs. In truth, I have never seen a suite of four before, they usually turn up as singles and are rare survivors. This suite has lovely mother of pearl inlay, some great gold leaf painting and the original ebonised finish. The seats are early rattan...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$1,214Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique English Regency Pair Rosewood Side Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine pair of Regency rosewood side chairs dating to circa 1825. These elegant English chairs are well proportioned and display the clean, refined lines associated with the Regency...
Rosewood
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of 18th Century Hand-painted Adams Style Side Chairs
By Adams
Located in Nashville, TN
A pair of period Adams side chairs from the late 18th Century. Both are hand painted with foliate design and gilt accents. The original cain seats hav...
Fruitwood
$1,203Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Pair Of Regency Rosewood Side Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine quality pair of antique Regency rosewood side chairs having beautiful rosewood top rails with elegant sweeping backs. The chairs retain their original Regency form with decora...
Rosewood
Pair of 19th Century English White Lacquered Hall Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Regency hall chairs. The chairs are mahogany with a white lacquered finish.
Mahogany
Set of Four Regency Mahogany and Ebony Armorial Hall Chairs
By Marsh and Tatham
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stunning set of four Regency period mahogany and ebony inlaid armorial hall chairs, possibly attributable to Marsh and Tatham. The backs are decorated...
Mahogany, Ebony
Antique circa 1815 Mother of Pearl Inlaid Ebonsied & Gold Leaf Regency Chair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite original circa 1815 Regency ebonised gold leaf painted and mother of pearl inlaid occasional bergere chair A very good looking we...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$38,500 / set
Regency Era Set of Dining Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
This handsome set of 12 Regency period dining chairs is and exceptional example of Regency furniture in both construction and design. The chairs are crafted of rich mahogany and are ...
Mahogany
Pair of Antique English Regency Side Chairs with Marquetry Inlays & Caned Seat
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite pair of antique English regency side chairs in beautiful mahogany with very fine marquetry inlays of classical motifs in satinwood. Chairs are embellished with inlaid b...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair of Early 19th Century Side Chairs Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning pair of Regency mahogany side chairs attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, each moulded curved back with pierced fluted rail backs...
Leather, Mahogany
$6,161Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Morning Room Chairs, English, Elbow Seat, Regency, Circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine pair of antique morning room chairs. An English, mahogany elbow seat, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Elegantly proportioned and displaying superb craftsmans...
Textile, Mahogany
$4,366Sale Price / set|30% Off
Four Very Rare Antique Regency circa 1815 Ebonsied Mother of Pearl Side Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this suite of four, exquisite, original circa 1815 Regency, Mother of Pearl inlaid, black lacquered hall sid...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$2,280Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Original Hand Painted Antique Regency circa 1810-1820 Side Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original circa 1810-1820 Regency hand painted side chairs with period woven seats A very good looking well made and decorat...
Rattan, Pine
$3,483Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Hall Chairs, Scottish, Oak, Reception Seats, Regency, Circa 1830
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine pair of antique hall chairs. A Scottish, golden oak reception seat, dating to the late Regency period, circa 1830. Striking in form and colour, these fine chairs offer...
Oak
$1,247Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Regency Quality Carved Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Regency quality carved mahogany desk chair having a quality shaped carved top rail, carved mahogany shaped splat to the centre, scroll sha...
Other
$2,120 / set
Pair Of Regency Painted Cane-Seat Side Chairs
Located in London, GB
A decorative pair of painted side chairs in the Regency taste, likely early 19th century English. The dark green ground retains what appears to be much of the original painted and pa...
Cane, Wood, Paint
Mahogany Side Chair in Brunschwig & Fils Equestrian Upholstery
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Southampton, NJ
An antique Edwardian side desk chair of carved mahogany featuring Neoclassical and Regency design elements in the reeded column central splat backrest with carved Acanthus leaf and f...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Ornate Regency White Wirework Iron Chair
Located in Hastings, GB
An untouched and incredibly ornate Regency period wirework and wrought iron chair, superb form and scale. English, dating to the very early 19th century. Height 82.5cm, Width 44cm,...
Wrought Iron, Wire
$5,800 / set
Pair Of Regency Oak Hall Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Each with a rectangular back and arched crest over a painted coat of arms, wood seat raised on square section tapered legs.
Oak
A Pair Of Painted Regency Faux Bamboo And Rush Seat Chairs
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Regency Faux Bamboo and Rush Seat Chairs with Original Patina. We are pleased to offer a charming pair of Regency faux bamboo chairs...
Rush, Beech, Paint
Early 19th Century Rosewood Chair in the Gothic Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality Regency rosewood side chair in the Gothic style, the padded high back upholstered in a decorative floral pattern along with the cushioned seat, either side of the hi...
Rosewood
NEW English Faux Rosewood Regency Style Side Chair with Hand Painted Decoration
Located in North Salem, NY
This NEW Wood & Hogan English-Made Regency Style Faux Rosewood Side Chair is an exquisite piece of furniture that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of the Regency era. Cra...
Maple
Very Rare Gillows of Lancaster Regency Hardwood Harpist Height Adjustable Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning and very rare original Gillows of Lancaster Rosewood height-adjustable Harpist musician stool A very good looking ...
Wood, Beech
$2,900 / set
Set of Four Regency Rosewood Side Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Beautifully detailed Regency rosewood side chairs with cheetah print cushions, circa 1810-1820. Set of four.
Rosewood
$4,678Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Antique Regency Chairs & Matching Table from Glenalmond Estate Scotland
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare suite of two Queen Anne style side chairs with a matching occasional table in the original floral paint circa ...
Upholstery, Elm
Regency Style Gold Giltwood Spindle Chair circa 1900 Ornate Bird Upholstery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 Regency style gold gilt wood framed chair with ornate bird upholstery A good looking well made and decorative antique chair...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of English Regency Hall Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Cambridge, US
England, ca. early 19th century. A fine pair of antique Regency mahogany hall chairs after the style of Gillows. Expertly crafted from solid mahogany with a rich, dark patina. Featur...
Mahogany