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.
Early 19th Century English Regency Campaign Linen Press in Camphor Wood
Located in Kastrup, DK
A refined Campaign Linen Press from the English Regency period, crafted circa 1820. Made from solid camphor wood – prized for its natural scent and resistance to pests – and featurin...
Wood
Superb Inlaid Bow Front Linen Press
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A superb small proportions bow front inlaid linen press, five drawers below two door cabinet with brass slamming strip, single shelf inside, splits into two, standing on outwept brac...
Mahogany
English Regency Mahogany Bow Front Gadrooned Linen Press w/ Orig. Brasses, 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency Mahogany bow front gadrooned linen press with a flanking outset corner cornice, flanking hinged book matched figured flame mahogany blind doors, original five interio...
Brass
Regency Antique Painted Linen Press, Artisan Refurbished, 1830
Located in Seaford, GB
Wonderful Regency Antique Painted Linen Press — Early 19th Century A beautifully restored Regency antique painted linen press, circa early 19th century, discovered in Provence and b...
Mahogany
American Regency Mahogany Graduated Hinged Linen Press on Splayed Feet, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American Regency book matched mahogany linen press with a carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged doors revealing three original interior sliding shelves, three graduated drawers...
Brass
18th Century French Blond Oak Buffet Deux Corps with Molded Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent 18th-century French buffet deux corps crafted in solid blond oak with richly molded paneling and an arched crown. This stately piece exemplifies the grandeur and craftsma...
Oak
American Regency Mahogany Swan Neck Graduated Linen Press with Orig. Feet C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American Regency Mahogany linen press with a carved molded edge swan neck cornice, central brass urn adorned with swan filigree ormolu, decorative foliage medallions, flanking upper ...
Brass
Regency Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Regency mahogany linen press with original brass handles. With oak linen slides. Likely to be of English or Scottish origin. All original. Circa 1840.
Mahogany, Oak
George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe or linen press having two mahogany doors which open to reveal a fitted interior of four original sliding trays, one long drawer with ...
Brass
Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press An exceptional example sku 2090 Together W127 x D54 x H205.5 cm Base W127 x D54.5 x H91.5 cm Top W124 x D54 x H114 cm W...
Mahogany
Antique Linen Press
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine George III Sheraton period oval panelled mahogany linen press of a good color and patina: The cupboard with three cedar lined slides and oak lined d...
Wood, Mahogany
Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press sku 1994 W205 x D61 x H197 cm Weight 189 kg 6 individual pieces Cornice W205 x D61 x H11 cm Plinth W199 x D56 x H10 cm ...
Mahogany
French 18th Century Carved Oak Buffet à Deux Corps
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning French oak buffet à deux corps (cabinet in two sections) from the 18th century, designed with features and style that suit many decorating tastes and storage needs for the...
Metal
$2,936Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.82 in W 27.17 in D 18.51 in
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press Furniture made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer on softwood, dating back to the first half of the 19th century. Sin...
Mahogany
English Mahogany Wardrobe / Linen Press
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-door, two-drawer wardrobe / linen press in finely grained mahogany is just the right size for that guest room with no closet. Not too big so as to take up too much space, bu...
Mahogany
19thC English Pine Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1890 19thC English Pine Linen Press sku 1104 Lock & Keys (2 parts) W120 x D56 x H219 cm Base: W116 x D54 x H97cm Top: W120 x D56 x H122cm
Pine
$8,500Sale Price|32% Off
H 79.5 in W 55 in D 23.5 in
Antique Dutch Painted Country Bombe Linen Press Cabinet
Located in Sheffield, MA
The rare diminutive Dutch Bombe linen press has original white painted over blue with three deep drawers below and a double-door storage space ...
Wood
$2,747Sale Price|20% Off
H 81.89 in W 41.74 in D 22.05 in
20th-Century Mahogany Linen-Press With Mirror
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Mahogany Linen-Press With Mirror A mahogany single-winged linen-press from the early 20th century. The interior of the furniture is divided into shelves and two drawers...
Mirror, Mahogany
$3,950
H 86 in W 48.25 in D 21 in
19th Century English Mahogany Linen Press with Oval Paneling and Crossbanding
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Mahogany Linen Press with Oval Paneling and Crossbanding
Mahogany
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 77.5 in W 47.5 in D 21.5 in
Thomasville Georgian Flame Mahogany Bow Front Clothing Armoire Linen Press
By Thomasville
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Thomasville 18th century collection Georgian style flame mahogany bowfront clothing / TV armoire or linen press. Features three dovetailed drawers and shelves for storage fla...
Brass
Regency Flame Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Regency flame mahogany linen press. The cornice, above two flame mahogany paneled doors, opening to two original linen trays, flanked by finely turned colu...
Mahogany
English 19th Century Faux-Bois Linen Press
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome antique English linen press was hand-crafted circa 1820 and features a molded cornice and superbly figured paneled doors that...
Brass
Sold
H 91.25 in W 54.88 in D 16.75 in
English Regency Mahogany and Satinwood Grille Door Press Cabinet, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A fine and elegant circa 1810 English Late George III Regency period press cabinet of large scale having exquisitely grained mahogany veneered and satinwood inlaid case, the fixed mo...
Brass
Sold
H 81 in W 47.5 in D 21.75 in
Antique English Regency Linen Press in Mahogany with Interior & Exterior Drawers
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome English Regency linen press in mahogany with two cabinet doors over base with two drawers over two longer storage drawers. Offers five i...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 78.5 in W 49 in D 22.5 in
Antique English Linen Press in West Indies Mahogany w/ Drawers & Enclosed Trays
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An English Regency linen press in fine West Indies mahogany with two cabinet doors over base containing two drawers over two longer storage drawers. Interior offers 2 sliding shelves...
Mahogany
Regency Mahogany Two Door Side Cabinet / Low Linen Press
Located in Folkestone, GB
An unusual early 19th century mahogany two door side cabinet. The moulded edge top above a pair of panelled doors with moulded concave-cornered surrounds...
Mahogany
19th Century Regency Painted Wardrobe
Located in London, England
An impressive early 19th century English faux bamboo painted wardrobe. This ‘ Country house ‘ piece has been scraped back revealing original paint with some traces of its chinoise...
Bamboo
19th Century English Mahogany Linen Press with Paw Feet
Located in Richmond, VA
Great color and scale on this 19th century English mahogany linen press with paw feet. Drawers on bottom case are graduated. Top contains three original slides. The doors consists of...
Mahogany
18th Century Scottish Linen Press, Housekeepers Cupboard
Located in Staffordshire, GB
18th century Scottish linen press, housekeepers cupboard, circa 1780. Scraped back paint giving a limed appearance, a good example of a country...
Pine
Sold
H 74.81 in W 51.78 in D 24.41 in
Regency Linen Press Wardrobe, England, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Linen press wardrobe standing on bracket feet with a four-drawered chests of drawers base and two-door top in mahogany. The interior layout with ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 89.38 in W 51.97 in L 89.38 in
Antique Regency Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press Early 19th Century
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Regency circa 1825 mahogany secretaire linen press wardrobe. Solid and strong, with no loose joints. Full of age, character and charm. Great ma...
Mahogany
19th Century Regency Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 19th century Regency mahogany linen press. The linen press has a moulded cornice, above two flame mahogany panelled doors opening to reveal the interior, c...
Mahogany