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.
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
Set of 4 English Regency Black and Gold Painted 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 4 Outdoor English Regency Brass Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Outdoor English Regency style (20th Cent) steel and brass trimmed sleigh back side chairs with stretcher and dolphin detail.
Brass, Steel
$27,650 / set
Set of 10 French Regence Carved Chairs
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
Ebonized Regency Wood Side Chair in Black with Stick and Ball Gold Details
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous ebonized black and gold side chair or ballroom chair. Upholstered in a peach and cream floral striped fabric, this petite chair will be great as a side chair, at a dining table, vanity, or in a great room. The spindle back is accented with gold circular carved wood pieces. It reminds us of stick and ball furniture...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$2,063Sale Price / set|24% Off
4 Metal Iron Regency Maitland Smith Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 35 3/4in W: 19 1/2in D: 20 1/4in SH: 19 1/2in This set of 4 Metal Regency Maitland Smith Style Dining Chairs are made of the highest quality and are perfect for you ...
Metal, Iron
VIntage Regency Style Mahogany Side Chair with Needlepoint Fabric
Located in Pasadena, TX
This antique Regency style side chair probably dates to 1930's. Its made of mahogany and has bullseyes on the back splat. The seat is upholstered in needlepoint.
Mahogany
Pair of English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs with Painted Coat of Arms
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Regency mahogany hall chairs from the 19th century with coat of arms, dished seats and saber legs. These English Regency mahogany hall chairs from the 19th century are a testament to the elegance and refinement of the period. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each chair features a rectangular double reeded tablet top rail with painted stag that gracefully sits above a square splat. The splat is adorned with an applied tablet molding, framing a meticulously painted coat of arms—a nod to the aristocratic heritage and historical significance of such pieces. The chairs are distinguished by their rectangular dished seats, which ensure a comfortable sitting experience. The design is completed with saber legs, which not only provide stability but also add a touch of grace and movement to the chairs' overall appearance. These hall chairs could serve as a majestic welcome in any entryway, standing as guardians of history and tradition. Alternatively, they could be placed in a study or living room, where they would add an air of aristocratic elegance and serve as conversation pieces. Their regal design and the storied coat of arms make them not just functional pieces of furniture but also significant decorative elements that enhance the sophistication of any home. Perfect for those who appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of English Regency furniture...
Mahogany
Pair of English Regency Style Brass Inlaid Oak and Cane Armchairs
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
$2,611Sale Price|30% 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
Hand-carved English Regency-inspired American dining chairs
By The Tailored Home, Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
These hand carved dining chairs draw on English Regency design, with scrolling arms, a pierced back, and slender saber legs. Shown in a matte white lacquer with a silver-toned silk a...
Lacquer, Linen, Silk, Poplar
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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