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.
British Regency Profile Portrait Drawing of a Gentleman in a Top Hat C 1820-1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely rendered profile portrait portrays a fashionable gentleman facing left and wearing an exceptionally tall top hat, high stock, and substantial overcoat. Executed in graphi...
Giltwood, Paper
British Regency Profile Portrait Pencil Drawing of a Gentleman, Circa 1820–1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
This intimate profile portrait drawn in graphite depicts a distinguished gentleman facing left, his features modeled with remarkable economy in graphite and black chalk on paper. The...
Giltwood, Paper
Early 19th Century Original Framed Land Indenture, England, 1810
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A large hand written land indenture document England, 1810, framed. The beautifully hand written document mounted on board with a red velvet border and ...
Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
Watercolor Portrait of a Fashionable Woman Wearing a Turban, Henry Edridge, 1818
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Watercolor Portrait of a Fashionable Woman Wearing a Turban by Henry Edridge, A.R.A. (London 1769–1821) signed and dated 'H. Edridge / 1818' (lower left) pencil and watercolor heightened with white, on paper Executed in 1818, this highly finished drawing stands as a prime example of Henry Edridge's late, celebrated portrait style. It perfectly captures the sartorial elegance of the late British Regency period. By the turn of the nineteenth century, Edridge had established a highly lucrative London practice. He was patronized heavily by the royal family and prominent members of high society. His distinctive technique combined meticulously detailed graphite work in the face with broad, fluid watercolor washes to delineate drapery and background textures. A wealthy, unidentified gentlewoman is seated upon a classical, heavily carved Regency chaise...
Paper
George Bryant Campion Four Pencil Drawings of Royal Navy Ships on Dobbs Cards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Bryant Campion Four Pencil Drawings of Royal Navy Ships on Dobbs Cards Circa 1830 This framed set of four pencil drawings of Royal Navy ships is by George Bryant Campion (Bri...
Paper
Vintage Framed Horse Body Sketch Drawing
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage horse print sketch on paper with pencil framed in a simple black frame. Acquired at a Palm Beach estate.
Paper
$3,096
H 16 in W 17 in D 0.1 in
An Unusual Pencil Drawing of “Canton”, a Three-Masted Whaling Ship-at This Point
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual pencil drawing of “Canton“ a three masted whaling ship by Harold Wyllie. New Bedford was a major whaling centre in the 19th century. Photograp...
Paper
Set of Four Napoleonic Period Drawings
Located in Hudson, NY
These four drawings, while small in scale but large in style and impact, are of fine quality. Two are of priest and two are of officers. The paper, a fine blue color, makes the drawi...
Paper
Delightful Early 19th Century Horse Tricycle
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming early 19th century child's horse tricycle in wood and iron. A wonderful accent piece.
Iron
French Vintage Framed Pen Sketch on Paper
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage pen and ink drawing on paper of a youthful boy with gamine features such as a pronounced upper lip, arched brows, and a dense row of eyelashes. The vanilla tone of the...
Glass, Wood, Paper
1829 Signed Watercolor Portrait with Scandalous Inscription on Reverse
By Mr. King
Located in Katonah, NY
This early 19th-century watercolor portrait is signed “Painted by Mr. King” and dated 1829. It shows the sitter, Hanah Tichbon, dressed as a proper young woman of the period, wearin...
Wood, Paper
$573
H 10.63 in W 9.26 in D 1.19 in
Eugène de Sala, Minimalist Profile Drawing in Black and Blue Pencil
Located in Kastrup, DK
Eugène de Sala (1899–1987) Minimalist profile sketch executed in black and light blue pencil on paper. Signed “de Sala”. The motif depicts a stylized female head in profile, constr...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Graphite 19th Century Sketch of Voltaire in Vintage Frame
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely rendered work showing Francois-Marie Arouet also know as Voltaire is from the late 19th century. The drawing in a vintage frame shows the sitter in a somewhat relaxed po...
Paper
$412
H 12.37 in W 21.07 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Original Aviation Pencil Drawing Depicting an Albatros CIII WWI Aircraft
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil drawing depicting a two-seat biplane airplane for reconnaissance Albatros C III produced in 1916, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 53.5 x 31.4 - inches 21 x 13. ...
Paper
19th Century Victorian Games Box Compendium, England, Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
My description is quite lengthy and thorough because I feel this is an important piece of museum quality antiquity and significance; worthy ...
Wood
$411
H 12.21 in W 19.3 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Original Aviation Pencil Drawing Depicting a Hanriot HD 1 WWI Aircraft
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil drawing depicting a single-seat biplane airplane fighter Hanriot HD 1, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 49 x 31 - inch19.3 x 11.8. Riccardo Cavigioli was born in ...
Paper
Gio Ponti portrait drawing of a girl Italy 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This original Gio Ponti sketch, created in the 1950s as a portrait of a girl for a terracotta sculpture, is a rare and captivating piece of design his...
Paper
Original Jansen Architectural Pencil Drawing
Located in New York, NY
An original Jansen pencil drawing depicting an architectural detail "Rosace de Plafond" page 137. Stamped: Jansen, 9 Rue Royale Paris 8e.
Paper
Vintage Regency Gilt Framed Signed Fashion Sketch of Woman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning vintage Regency Original sketch of a woman. A beautiful composition of a model in profile. Signed and dated by the artist 2015. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Wood, Paper
Hand-Colored Bird Engravings French 18th Century by Francois-Nicolas Martinet
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer these Individual bird scenes captured on paper in the style of the Audubon bird engravings. These small, gem like, hand...
Paper
1970s Vintage Portrait Drawigns in Regency Style
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage hand drawings by Andrea Burroni, 1970s. The piece has signed by the author and it has a “Certificate of Authenticity” on the back. This pi...
Iron
Sold
H 0.25 in W 10 in D 8 in
Hand-Colored Bird Engravings French 18th Century by Francois-Nicolas Martinet
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer these Individual bird scenes captured on paper in the style of the Audubon bird engravings. These small, gem like, hand-...
Paper
Four Engravings of English Stately Homes by J. P. Neale
By John Preston Neale
Located in Hanover, MA
A series of small steel and copper engravings of stately and nobles homes of England, hand colored and uncolored, drawn by John Preston Neale circa 1830 a...
William IV Period Charcoal on Paper Drawing of a Scottish Dandy
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Charcoal on paper of an elegant young gentleman in Scottish tartan costume on original backing with silk ribbon tied corners conservation mounted in a period 'lemon gold' gilt frame,...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Pair of Dutch 18th Century Floral Watercolors of Roses and Carnations
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of Dutch 18th Century Watercolors of Roses and Carnations by Hendrik Reekers Estate of Sister Parish