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 Tole Birdcage on Stand, USA, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This 20th-century Regency Style birdcage is a romantic tribute to a time when beauty graced even the most functional objects. Crafted in painted toleware, it showcases delicate detai...
Metal
$6,033
Pavilion Birdcage
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional Regency design architectural birdcage on stand painted in faux red lacquer. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time and that this item is made ...
Mahogany
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 21 in W 16.5 in D 14 in
Empire Style Birdcage Model of Chateau de Luneville, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The wood and wire birdcage faithfully depicting the chateau.
Wood
20th Century Victorian Style Wood and Iron "Balloon" Birdcage
Located in Germantown, MD
20th Century Victorian style wood and iron "Balloon" bird cage & feeder. This ornamental piece features, mahogany stained wood with wrought iron "Balloon" form cage. The bottom pullout / pull-out feeder drawer has a brass base. There is a wood and wire interior bird swing...
Iron
French Palace-Form Iron Birdcage
Located in Kastrup, DK
A decorative French palace-form birdcage of elegant architectural design, featuring a domed top, fine vertical bars, and restrained decorative detailing. Constructed in grey-painted ...
Metal
Hollywood Regency Wire Birdcage USA
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Victorian domed wired bird cage with gold accents.Stand not included.
Wire
French Midcentury Brass Circular Birdcage with Decorative Bird
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French brass circular birdcage from the Midcentury period is a delightful combination of form and whimsy, perfect for adding a touch of vintage charm to any interior. Crafted wi...
Brass
Late 19th-Century Green-Painted Wooden Birdcage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A late 19th-century birdcage featuring a charming wooden structure with a soft green-painted base and a turned wood finial crowning the domed top. The vertical metal bars create a li...
Wood
$1,303Sale Price|28% Off
H 47 in W 26 in D 16 in
Vintage Iron and Wood Birdcage Terrarium, Maitland Smith Style
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Dr. Livingstone, I presume? Made in the Philippines. In the manner of Maitland Smith. Would bring character and flare to any room. Lift top. Gorgeous architectural features. Wood ...
Iron
Large Antique Painted Metal Birdcage, France, Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage cottage or farmhouse style red wire mesh and metal framed bird cage which as a distressed finish. The cage features a pagoda-style, hexagonal red roof with scalloped edges an...
Metal, Wire
Early 20th-Century French White Wrought Iron Birdcage with Dome Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite early 20th-century French birdcage showcases a beautifully crafted white-painted wrought iron structure with an elegant domed top, embodying the delicate craftsmanship...
Wrought Iron
Crown vintage birdcage
Located in Dallas, TX
An elegantly crafted and charming crown vintage birdcage. Primarily made with brass. Small bits of glass with frosted etched designs stand around the ...
Brass, Steel
Large and Decorative Birdcage On Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An impressive vintage iron and wood white paint decorated multi-dome birdcage with compatible iron base. The birdcage with three functional doors, wood finials, wood trim and wire co...
Other, Iron, Wire
Early 20th Century French Iron Pagoda Bird Cage on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French aviary brings sculptural presence and instant charm, standing over five feet tall with a striking pagoda silhouette that reads more like a decorative architectura...
Iron, Wire
Regency Style Tole Birdcage on Stand, USA 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This 20th-century Regency Style birdcage is a romantic tribute to a time when beauty graced even the most functional objects. Crafted in painted toleware, it showcases delicate detai...
Metal
English Regency Style Gilt Metal 3 Compartment Bird Cage
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency style bird cage with gilt metal bars and structure, two domed upper cages and one large rectangular cage with finial decor, stretcher base, and pull out drawers benea...
Metal
Pavillion Birdcages
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional pair of architectural bird cages with red patinated paintwork. They are extremely decorative and ready for immediate placement. We are currently working to a 30-36 we...
Brass
Regency Style Brass and Mahogany Bird Cage
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Regency style brass and mahogany bird cage with single swing door, raised on three paw feet.
Brass
Pavillion Birdcages
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional pair of Architectural Bird Cages with red patinated paintwork. They are extremely decorative and ready for immediate placement.
Brass