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.
Antique Regency Period Sofa Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Regency period sofa table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1810-1820 period. It is of outstanding quality, the wood has gorgeous grain patterns...
Wood
Regency Rosewood Sofa Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
Regency rosewood sofa table, circa 1815; the frieze drawer to the front with twin turned knob handles, a conforming faux drawer to the back; on t...
Rosewood
19th Century English Mahogany Drop Leaf Sofa Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a solid mahogany drop leaf table made in England, circa 1825. The top, both leaves, the ring turnings on the pedestals, the plat...
Ebony, Mahogany
Scottish Regency Mahogany & Rosewood Crossbanded Sofa Table
Located in Glasgow, GB
A handsome Scottish Regency mahogany and rosewood crossbanded sofa table probably by James Mein of Kelso. The top with unusual curl figuring to the mahogany and rosewood crossbanded...
Brass
$2,625Sale Price|25% Off
Regency Rosewood Library Table with Lyre Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning early 19th century style side table in figured rosewood. The top with rounded corners and inlaid with boxwood is supported by a simple rosewood veneered frieze with a drawer...
Rosewood
Pair of Fine Late Regency Mahogany and Tulipwood Drop-Leaf Tables
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Possibly Scottish, circa 1820. Banded and burled tables with double pedestal supports with carved leafy center panels. Raised on banded legs. With serpent...
Mahogany
Antique Scottish Mahogany & Rosewood Crossbanded Sofa Table
By William Trotter
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Regency Scottish sofa table attributed to William Trotter of Edinburgh. The richly figured mahogany top with a rosewood crossbanded edge and D-end dr...
Brass
Very Fine Early 19th Century Regency Sofa Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th century Regency mahogany sofa table, of gorgeous quality and beautifully hand carved with rich patination and grain. The well figured, moulded, reeded edge top...
Brass
A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood sofa table attributed to Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood sofa table attributed to Gillows, the rectangular D-end top with two hinged flaps all inlaid with brass beading to the vertical edges, above two friez...
Rosewood
$11,593
Antique Satinwood Sofa Table
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A satinwood sofa table with lovely matched veneers and tulipwood cross banding on the top; the drawers, which are designed without handles, have ebony stringing and the standard end ...
Satinwood
Early 19th Century Regency Sofa Table after Thomas Sheraton
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century Regency drop leaf sofa table in the manner of Thomas Sheraton, the moulded top of rectangular form with rounded corners...
Brass
Regency Rosewood Sofa Table by William Wilkinson of Ludgate Hill
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
Regency rosewood sofa table by William Wilkinson. The well figured rectangular top, with folding leaves and canted corners, over a panelled frieze with a pair of concealed shallow dr...
Rosewood
A Very Fine Early 19th Century Regency Sofa Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th Century Regency mahogany sofa table finely hand carved and of exceptional quality with rich patination and grain. The well figured moulded top, crossbanded wi...
Brass
Vintage Bevan Funnell Burr Walnut Extending Sofa / Occasional Table Nice Timber
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Bevan Funnell, Burr Walnut, extending sofa / occasional table. A very well made and decorativ...
Walnut
A Fine Regency Lyre Ended Sofa Table A Very fine piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Fine Regency Lyre Ended Sofa Table A Very fine piece, with brass handles and claw feet, the table has 2 long divided drawers at one side these are dummy faced at the other. The pi...
Mahogany
Regency Sofa Table Mahogany Antique Furniture
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Mahogany Sofa table with crossbanded edging and 2 drawers either side Nice designs to the crossbanding to the front with lozenge motifs and hexagonal designs All supported on a stretcher base the splay legs finished with brass castors The top and flaps are crossbanded in mahogany with satinwood bands Elegant and refined piece of English antique furniture...
Mahogany
$19,208 / set
Pair of Regency Mahogany Sofa Tables
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A rare and good quality pair of Regency period Mahogany, and rosewood sofa tables. Having rosewood crossbanding, boxwood stringing and brass inlay. Two mahogany lined drawers to one ...
Rosewood