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.
Round English Early 19th Century Regency Stool with Adjustable Red Leather Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency Stool with a round, adjustable red leather seat. This spectacular English stool sits firmly on four splayed legs decorated wi...
Leather, Wood
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
Six Important Antique Regency Leather Pollard Oak Chesterfield Dining Chairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare suite of fully restored Regency Chesterfield brown leather dining chairs wit...
Leather, Oak
ANTIQUE REGENCY 1815 EBONiSED MOTHER OF PEARL SILK CHESTERFIELD SEAT SIDE CHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare original circa 1810-1820 Hand painted, Mother of Pearl inlaid side chair with unique, silk u...
Silk, Wood
Antique Regency 1820 Brown Leather Pollard Oak Chesterfield Office Desk Chair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored Victorian Chesterfield brown leather office desk chair with Pollard oak frame and original horse hair padding. Thi...
Leather, Oak
CHARMING PAIR OF OCCASIONAL HARDWOOD CHAIR WiTH STIPE FABRIC SEAT & STUDS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this gorgeous pair of antique occasional chairs with fabric seats. This pair of chairs are standing on tapered legs with distinguished details on ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century Regency Ebonised Carved Library Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Regency ebonised carved library chair with needlepoint back and seat, of solid wood construction and finely carved details. The arms of t...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$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
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 19th Century Mahogany French Regency Library Chairs
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of 19th Century Mahogany French Regence Library Chairs with Lyre back and gilded accents. gorgeous shape.
Mahogany
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
Transitional Andrew Gower for Jasper Group Portrait Management Swivel Desk Chair
By Jasper Seating Co., Andrew Gower
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous transitional style portrait swivel and tilt management desk chair by Jasper Group, Elegant lines define portrait's timeless classic design, the serpentine front balances with the arms and the back's soft arc, Beautifully handcrafted by skilled artisans using high-quality materials, This piece blends traditional and modern contemporary design elements, creating a look that's classic yet modern, Will bring a sense of history and elegance to any interior at home or office. Please note I have three chairs available, selling them individually "The price listed is for one chair." Specifications: Upholstery: Black Naugahyde Button detail on the back creates a reverse diamond pattern Maple regency arms hand-carved and shaped Maple carved 5-star base feature prong steel interiors with hooded black double wheel casters Seat has synthetic sheet webbing with high resiliency seat polyurethane foam and Dacron wrap Frame interior is hardwood joined with double dowels Back has polypropylene webbing and polyurethane foam with Dacron wrap Pneumatic seat height adjustment from 17.5" to 21" Swivel 360 degrees Tilt lock and tilt tension adjustment Designed by Andrew Gower...
Steel
Five Beautiful Chairs in antique Regency Style black
Located in Berlin, DE
Five very elegant chairs, solid beech. Straight frame on tapered squares. A Lyramotiv is hand carved in the backrest frame. Classic upholstered seat with fabric.
Wood
Regency Mahogany Rectangular Stool, Upholstered Top, England, 1820
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Regency period mahogany Stool, having upholstered & buttoned rectangular top supported on turned reeded tapering legs.
Mahogany
Set Canape and 5 Chairs Regency from the 19th Century in Rosewood Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
Canape and 5 chair set Regency From the 19th century, In rosewood wood with curved roller arms, and metal applications. Straw seats. Dimensions.: (canapé) 87 x 175 x 83 cm. Dimension...
Rosewood
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
Pair of Regency Style Fret Chairs from Iatesta Studio Collection with Cushions
Located in Highwood, IL
Pair of Regency Fret (short for fretwork) Side Chairs from the Iatesta Studio Collection. The Iatesta Regency Side Chairs are made with cane seat bottom...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Rare Regency Walnut Giltwood Curved Kidney Saddle Stool Acanthus Leaf Detailing
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Regency walnut and giltwood curved stool with Acanthus leaf carving A rare find, the shape is odd, its slightly smaller at one side...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair Antique Regency Arm Chairs in Rosewood Dining Chair
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning Pair of Regency Rosewood Chairs. These chairs having ring turned and carved front legs. The centre rail of typical Regency design an...
Rosewood
Pair of English Regency Curule Chairs with Swan Motifs and Upholstered Seats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English period Regency steel and brass curule armchairs with swan motifs from the early 19th century. This pair of curule Regency chairs circa 1820 features an X-shape stee...
Brass, Steel
French Regence Faux Tiger Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Regence style (19th/20th C) carved walnut open arm chair with faux tiger upholstered seat and back.
Upholstery, Walnut