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.
Regency Chesterfield Brown Leather Porters Armchair in the Manor of Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed whiskey brown leather period Regency Mahogany Chesterfield Porters armchair...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Pair of French Régence Style Carved Mahogany Arm Chairs, c. Early 19th C
Located in Westfield, MA
This handsome pair of French arm chairs reflects the regal elegance of the Régence period, with tall arched backs, strong architectural lines, and finely carved mahogany frames. Like...
Mahogany
4 Leather Oak Dining Chairs Country House Regency Style Racing Green Baronial
Located in London, GB
A very impressive and rare set of four strikingly attractive racing green leather and red oak Regency style dining chairs in lovely vintage condition. Likely made in the early-to-mid...
Brass
Vintage Regency Cut Velvet Bergere Chairs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your space with this exquisite pair of Vintage Regency Cut Velvet Bergere Chairs. Featuring luxurious velvet upholstery and elegant carved wood frames, these chairs blend tim...
Velvet, Wood
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
Antique Regency Period Armchair
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Regency period armchair, made in England and dating from around the 1815-1830 period. It is of wonderful quality, with stunning gilt bronze mounts on the armrest an...
Bronze
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
Lovely Antique Regency Oak Carved Bergere Armchair with Lions Head Arms Velvet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Regency Oak Bergere armchair with Lions head arms Please note t...
Velvet, Oak
Set of 12 Late Regency Period Dining Chairs, circa 1830
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality set of 12 late Regency period dining chairs, each with wonderful classical carved scrolling decoration to the back rests, upholstered seats, raised on turned tape...
Rosewood
Vintage Regency Carved Ruffle Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous set of six vintage Regency dining chairs. Gorgeous garbed ruffle details and cabriolet legs. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Fabric, Wood
Large Louis XIV, Regency, Style Armchair, 19th Century, to be Restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Louis XIV, Regency, style armchair, 19th century, to be restored.
Beech
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
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
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
A fine pair of Regency mahogany armorial hall chairs attributed Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine pair of Regency mahogany armorial hall chairs attributed Gillows, each with an ogee back supported on C-scrolls and circular dished seat raised on turned and reeded outswept f...
Mahogany
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 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
$8,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
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
$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 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
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
Irish Regency Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Stamford, CT
An early 19th century Irish Regency carved and upholstered walnut armchair.
Walnut
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
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