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.
Set of Four Polished Nickel & Brass Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Danville, CA
Handsome quality set of four Nickel plated steel Dining Chairs with polished brass X splats and polished steel seat backs. The seats are freshly u...
Steel
French Giltwood Side Chair
Located in Miami, FL
French giltwood side chair.
Giltwood
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
Set of Four 19th Century English Regency Cane Seat Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 English Regency (19th century) side chairs with turned painted black and gold frames with caned seats and fan-shaped back panels.
Wood
Set of 10 French Regence Chairs, 19th Century, Painted Wood & Cane
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 10 French Regence style (19th Cent) white painted and carved open chairs with cane seat and back. (2 arms 8 sides)
Cane, Wood
Set of 4 French Regence Walnut Side Chairs with Aubusson Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
"Set of 4 French Regence style (19th Cent) walnut high back side chairs with carved stretcher and upholstered red floral Aubusson seat and back. Antique condition, some wear to upho...
Upholstery, Walnut
Boho Chic Upholstered Bamboo Side Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Constructed of bamboo, this Boho Chic chair is upholstered. It has a spindled back and a gate like skirt. Reupholstery is strongly recommended.
Upholstery, Bamboo
Vintage Smith and Watson Dublin Grog Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant Dublin Grog chair by the esteemed maker Smith and Watson showcases the timeless sophistication of traditional English-inspired design. Meticulously crafted with a solid ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of English Regency Armchairs, Stained Oak, Cane Seat, 1960s
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Regency stained oak armchair with floral brass inlay pattern, carved detail, cane seat, and removable beige tufted and upholstered seat cushion.
Brass
$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
$4,630Sale 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
$1,795Sale Price / set|25% Off
Grosfeld House Regency Style Lacquered Dining Chairs, Mid 20th Century
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Grosfeld House ...
Cotton, Wood, Lacquer
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
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
2 Lovely Regency Chairs with new Upholstered Seats
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
2 Lovely Regency chairs with new Upholstered seats A very attractive pair of chairs, they have a broad carved back top rail and a carved centre rail The chairs have slender tur...
Silk
$2,256Sale 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
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
$2,424Sale Price|35% Off
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
$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
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
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
$720Sale Price / set|30% Off
Lovely Pair of Eichholtz Occasional Chairs Ebonized Frames Grey Linen Upholstery
By EICHHOLTZ
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Eichholtz occasional chairs with ebonized frames and grey linen upholstery These are a very well made pair of chairs, the de...
Upholstery, Oak