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 Style Black with Gilt Geometric Design Lacquered Wood Tray Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Regency Style Black Lacquered Wood Tray Table, with gilt geometric design to the removable tray top above four tapered legs conjoined by wrought iron X-form stretcher. 26.75" H x 24...
Wrought Iron
Late 20th C. Regency Style Yew Wood Removable Tray On Table Stand
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., A beautifully crafted antique-style tray table, combining intricate woodworking with classic design elements. The tabletop is made of richly figured burl wood, featuring a s...
Brass
$1,680Sale Price / set|40% Off
English Silver Plate Tray Tables on Faux Bamboo Stands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant pair of English silver plate tray tables on ebonized faux bamboo stands with silver gilt accents. The legs are conjoined with X-form cross stretchers and are slightly splayed on the ends. Made in the English chinoiserie revival...
Metal, Silver
Georgian Opulence: Henry Clay's Lacquered Papier-mâché Tray on Faux Bamboo Stand
By Henry Clay
Located in Downingtown, PA
Georgian Opulence: Henry Clay's Lacquered Papier-mâché Tray on Faux Bamboo Stand This striking piece is a Burgundy-Ground Lacquered Papier-mâché Tray on a Faux Bamboo Stand, dating ...
Other
English Regency Painted Whippet Serpentine Bell Flower Tray on Stand, Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency serpentine hand carved wood and painted whippet bell flower and foliage tray on stylized bamboo ringed stand with connecting stretchers, Early 19th Century
Wood, Paint
$950Sale Price|26% Off
19th Century Mahogany English Butler's Serving Bar Tray on Wooden Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
Large mahogany butlers tray on stand featuring a rectangular shaped tray with a surround gallery. with handles on either end for easy access. On folding X frame stand with heavy wove...
Mahogany
Regency Style Italian Faux Bamboo Tole Painted Tray Coffee Side Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of regency style faux bamboo tray tables with hand painted neoclassical and floral center scenes. They are Italian and most likely date to the 60s. They are in very go...
Metal
Sheraton occasional / Tray table in satinwood, England
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Sheraton occasional table, crafted to a high standard and veneered with satinwood, lemonwood, and mahogany. Oval tabletop with a large central satinwood panel. The tabletop i...
Hardwood, Fruitwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Circa 1810-20 English Regency Period Pine Washstand Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1810-20 English Regency period pine washstand table. Once painted. The galleried solid top makes it excellent for a bar, bathroom table, etc. Elegant turnings, including the gr...
Pine
English Hand Painted Lacquered Papier Mâché Tray Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique English tray table with a lacquered paper mâché tray painted with a landscape depicting a shepherd and his flock in the countryside ...
Faux Bamboo
English Regency Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (19th Century) rectangular bronze pen tray with dolphin and floral relief edge.
Bronze
Large Papier-mâché Tray Depicting Brighton Pavilion
Located in Folkestone, GB
A large and rare Papier-mâché and mother of pearl inlaid tray with intricate view of Brighton pavilion to the top set in a serpentine shaped surround with gilded foliate borders and ...
Lacquer
Regency Scarlet and Gilt Japanned Papier Mache Tray by Henry Clay
Located in Essex, MA
Depicting pagodas in an exotic landscape. Stamped Clay / London on back. With later base. Ex Christies Sale , Oct 17, 1997 lot 73.
Lacquer, Paper
Antique English Regency Tray Top Coffee Table with Floral Design
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency style (19/20th Century) brown lacquered tray top coffee table with decorative floral design and a black lacquered and gilt double fa...
Faux Bamboo
Large Regency Mahogany And Brass Banded Oyster Tray
Located in Essex, MA
Regency mahogany Brass banded oyster tray. Nice rich mahogany color with shaped handles.
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Side Table Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine Regency mahogany occasional table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, with tray top above frieze drawers and beaded border, on turned tapering legs with castors. Circa 1828 ...
Wood
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Mahogany folding butlers tray on stand tray has four folding sides with inset brass hinges. Supported on folding stand with decorative turned supports. The dimensions are with the ...
Mahogany
Vintage Tole Tray Table with Mirrored Top, Black Finish, Circa 1990s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Regency style black tole tray accent table with mirrored top. Top does not come off. It features a deep, oval rimmed basin top and slender faux bamboo style legs supported by...
Tôle
Regency Black and Gilt Papier Mâché Tray, c1810 with Later Custom Stand
Located in valatie, NY
This exceptional papier mâché tray is highly decorated and sits on a clustered bamboo style frame. The black and gilt painted scene is of an Asian country estate with a typical stone...
Wood, Paper
$2,660Sale Price|46% Off
Regency Black and Gilt Papier Mache Lacquer Tray with Later Stand, 19th Century
By Henry Clay
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Chinoiserie decorated black and gilt rectangular tray stamped on the reverse "Clay, King St. Covent Garden.”.
Lacquer
$4,960Sale Price|20% Off
An English Regency Style Hand-Painted Wooden Hunting Tray on Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
decorated with a scenic reserve centering a hunter on horseback beside a pair of dogs all on a black lacquered ground with gilt foliate decoration; impr...
Wood
19th Century Papier Mâché Tray on Later Regency Style Table Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A hand-painted antique tray with a figural scene of lovers and hunter in a wooded glen on papier mâché in a custom Ebonized and gilt stand with gilt ring accents and slightly flaring...
Wood, Paper
Antique 19 Century English Papier-mâché Tray Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A circa 1870's Papier Mache had gilt and decorated tray with a later custom dark wood base. The tray table with the tray fitting into the custom base. Can be removed and used for ser...
Hardwood
Regency Aubergine Lacquer Tray Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular tray with scalloped edges and deep bordered decorated in gilt with clumps of flowers and butterflies; raised on trestle end support with rotating central support so t...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Regency Tole Fruit Tray Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a touch of elegance with this Vintage Regency Tole Fruit Tray Table. Featuring a beautifully hand-painted fruit motif on the removable tole tray, this table combines practi...
Wood
Regency Mahogany Dessert Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Top shelf diameter 15.13 inches. Three graduated tiers each able to fold with a tripartite saber leg base with brass casters. Originally a dining room piece today useful to display p...
Mahogany
$4,500
H 31 in W 43.75 in D 23.5 in
Mahogany William IV Parcel-Gilt Tray on Stand, 19th Century English
Located in El Monte, CA
A handsome William IV mahogany and parcel-gilt tray on stand that exemplifies the restrained elegance of the period. Both tray and stand are crafted from rich mahogany polished to hi...
Mahogany
English Regency Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (19th Century) rectangular bronze pen tray with dolphin and floral relief edge.
Bronze
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
English Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Lacquered Tray Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming English chinoiserie style faux bamboo cocktail table featuring a paper-maché lacquered tray top decorated with intricate Asian motifs. The tray has parcel gilt pagodas and landscapes over a dramatic red ground. The lacquer has a desirable aged craquelure fine webbing on the finish. The later constructed faux bamboo green...
Wood
Signed B. Walton & Co. Papier-Mâché Tray on Tilting Stand, c1840
Located in valatie, NY
This exceptional tray table was hand crafted by the renowned B. Walton Company, premier English craftsmen of paper-mâché. The sizable green tray has beautifully gilt and scalloped ri...
Wood, Paper
$1,200
H 19 in W 31.5 in D 25.75 in
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Lacquer
English George III Mahogany Butler's Tray Table on Folding Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century Regency George III period mahogany butler's tray on folding stand. Unusual square shape tray as these are mostly rectangle in shape. Beautiful old patina with ex...
Mahogany
Fornasetti Tray Holder Tray Black Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 40 cm diameter metal round tray.
Wood
Serving Tray on a Folding Stand
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style serving tray with a removable top with a herringbone reed surface in a bamboo frame with brass handles on a mahogany folding base carved with a palm leaf motif...
Bamboo
19th Century English Mahogany Inlaid Serving Tray on Stand
Located in High Point, NC
19th century mahogany shaped serving tray with serpentine and inlaid molded gallery and bulbous brass handles. The tray has a central satinwood feathered design, and intricately inla...
Brass
$1,595
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 19 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...
Tin
$2,195
H 22.64 in W 34.26 in D 26.78 in
Antique Butler's Tray Table, English, Drop-flap Serving Stand, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique butler's tray table. An English, mahogany and brass drop-flap serving stand, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. A highly versatile serving piece with su...
Brass
Sold
H 19.75 in W 31 in D 25.5 in
Regency Papier Mache Tray Top Table with Floral and Gold-Tone Design, circa 1820
Located in Astoria, NY
Regency Papier Mache Tray Top Table, circa 1820, top with floral design and ornate gold-tone designs, underside marked "Jennens & Bettridge / London", on later ebonized and gilt ...
Wood, Paper
English Regency Brown Lacquered Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style oval brown lacquered tray with heron and floral design
Lacquer
English Regency Brown Lacquered Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style oval brown lacquered tray with heron and floral design
Lacquer
Rather Large 19th Century English Butler's Tray Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Imposing in both size and craftsmanship, this early 19th-century English mahogany butler's tray with a folding stand is a majestic testament to the elegance of English country estates. The tray, fashioned from rich mahogany, boasts cut-out handles on three sides, allowing for easy transportation of its grandeur. Resting upon a stand adorned with intricately turned legs and stretchers, the piece exudes sophistication. Its remarkable scale lends it versatility beyond its original purpose, seamlessly transitioning from a butler's aid to a console table, nightstand, a stately bar in the library or field bar...
Mahogany
Butler Tray In Mahogany From The 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
butler tray in mahogany from the beginning of the 19th century from England Very beautiful tray in solid mahogany with a beautiful veneer the tray is of course removable Beautiful...
Mahogany
Antique Regency Style Lacquered Tray Top Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Regency style lacquered tray top coffee table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950-60’s. The quality is superb, this is beautifully made and i...
Wood
Sold
H 22 in W 22 in D 14 in
Petite Vintage Regency Style Venetian Red Lacquered Butlers Lift Off Tray Table
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This attractive vintage Butler's lift off tray table features a tray that lifts off by two cut out shaped handles. The design of the base top makes it easy to place the tray precisel...
Wood, Lacquer
Large Oval Sheraton Style Tray.
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Oval Sheraton Style Tray. This is a superb quality piece The tray is oval and decorated in the Sheraton style with a stylised floral inlay at the centre it has a raised scall...
Walnut
Sold
H 2.5 in W 18.5 in D 10 in
Early 20th Century Inlaid Mahogany Serving Tray With Silver Plate Gallery
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th Century Inlaid Mahogany Serving Tray With Silver Plate Gallery. Marked by the makers mark "Wilcox Silver Plate Co." of Meridian, CT.
Silver Plate
English Regency Hand Painted Tole Tray
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large English early 19th century oval tole tray. Metal beautifully painted with an oval center medallion with coastline scene of a young woman with anchor scouting out to sea. Stand...
Metal
Simpson Hall Miller Oval Silver Plate Tray Table
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Regency style oval tray table with ebonized mahogany faux bamboo table base fitted with a removal oval quadruple silver plated serving...
Silver Plate
Maitland-Smith Style Mahogany Embossed Leather Glass Tray Table
Located in Raymondville, TX
A late 20th century regency style mahogany, embossed leather & glass tray top accent table attributed to Maitland Smith. Wood frame...
Gold Leaf