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 Faux Rosewood Secretary Bookcase
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional early 19th century Regency secretary bookcase, finished in a striking faux rosewood with gilt lines. The upper case has a gallery top above a pair of astragal-glazed door...
Wood, Rosewood
$4,800Sale Price|58% Off
English Regency Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Regency style mahogany and satinwood inlaid Carlton house desk. Circa 1880 rare Carlton House desk, typical for the Regency period, is a beautiful piece of furniture. It i...
Mahogany
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary bookcase, Circa 1890.
Glass, Mahogany
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Secretary w/ Bookcase on Splay Feet, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency Mahogany fall front secretary bookcase with carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged diamond mullion glass doors revealing six interior adjustable shelves, interio...
Brass
English Regency Period Secrétaire Cabinet with Egyptian Motifs
By George Oakley
Located in London, GB
A secrétaire cabinet of the Regency period Firmly attributed to George Oakley. Constructed in a finely faded and patinated goncalo alvez, having holly and purple heart stringing;...
Purpleheart, Satinwood, Holly
English Regency Style Wood and Brass Leather Top Campaign Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-Style (20th Century) maple and ebonized trim campaign / kneehole desk with two cabinet columns with four drawers each having rectangular inSet brass drawer pulls and ...
Metal, Brass
Regency Period Mahogany Davenport Circa 1810 With Mechanism
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare Regency mahogany Davenport desk, circa 1810. This small English piece can serve as a writing desk or a superb display cabinet of exceptional quality. Such fine pieces...
Mahogany
English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely made English regency period metamorphic bookcase-desk is also of an interesting and useful small scale. The mahogany construction is done in a clean simple straight-grain...
Brass
Early 19th Century English Hepplewhite Regency Secretary Bookcase and Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exquisite, singularly unique Hepplewhite secretary bookcase in mahogany, satinwood, and boxwood. The cornice exhibits urns and panels, and the ce...
Mahogany
$84,000 / set
Rare Near Pair of Regency Bookcases
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare near pair of English Regency period secretary or bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlay. The fitted drawers in the fall front are slightly different in c...
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
A fine 18th century Scottish Regency mahogany and satinwood inlayed secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine early 19th century Regency mahogany and satinwood inlayed drop front secretary . Signed in two places
Mahogany, Satinwood
$5,206Sale Price|20% Off
Very Rare Italian Hardwood Cylinder Bureau Bookcase Desk with Must See Pictures
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this very fine 19th century Italian cylinder top Bureau bookcase with ornately inlaid internals This is one of the finest flamed mahogany cyl...
Hardwood
Regency Rosewood Secretaire Side Cabinet/Chiffoneer
Located in Folkestone, GB
A superior quality and unusual Regency rosewood Side Cabinet, the top drawer with fold-down, leather-lined front, fully fitted with drawers and pigeon holes. below are a pair of silk...
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Secretary with Drawers, Key and Marquetry and Brass Details
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th century secretary has two drawers and a flap, with storage behind the flap. The flap opens by key, which is included. The ...
Brass
Antique Burled Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet with carved cavetto cornice, over a slim curved frieze drawer and one upper and two lower long drawers. The middle faux drawers drop down to the secretary. The fitted interior with drawers, white porcelain pulls and a center compartment with door housing an inkstand with two glass bottles with silver-plate tops. With patinated brass bat...
Brass
$2,409Sale Price|19% Off
French Secretaire Cartonnier, Transition , wood leather
Located in Valladolid, ES
A sensational and unique French PP S XIX cartonnier, Transition style from Louis XV to Louis XVI, high quality, mahogany, mahogany palm and leather. The cartonnier rises on a solid m...
Metal
18th Century British Regency Bureau Chiffonier in Manner of Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic piece in impeccable condition. Regency exotic hardwood bureau or secretaire desk or cabinet of lovely proportions. From circa 1790. The top portion consists of an open columned pelmet and shelf with a series of drawers underneath. All made of rosewood. The bottom section is a double door cabinet with double shelving inside. The façade of the doors consist of glorious gilded latticework frames with rose shaped connectors and with brown silk blinds...
Rosewood
Regency Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Essex, MA
The arched cornice with oval paterae inlay over a pair of glass doors enclosing shelves. The base with roll top desk opening to a fitted compartments and slide out writing surface. T...
Brass
Amanuense Secretary Desk by Adolfo Natalini for Mirabili Limited Edition 2/99
By Mirabili
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Amanuense Secretary Desk by Adolfo Natalini for Mirabili Limited Edition 2/99. Limited edition release with metal tag indicating 2/99. "Part of a series of striking pieces designed b...
Cherry
English Regency Rosewood Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 1840s, England
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency rosewood secretaire cabinet with two upper shelves supported by a lyre form over a secretaire drawer fitted with a leather wri...
Rosewood
English Regency Walnut and Ebony Secretaire-Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very handsome English Regency walnut and ebony secretaire-chest with four drawers with pull-out secretaire with ebony in-set central writing sur...
Ebony, Walnut
Regency Brass-Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood secretaire cabinet, the rectangular top with a pierced galleried shelf with trellis work on the sides, above a secretaire drawer, banded with brass pa...
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaire Chiffonier Side Cabinet
By John Mclean
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine English Regency secretaire side cabinet in the manner of John McLean. Of exceptional quality and fine design, the upper section surmounted by a pierced brass gallery above a m...
Brass
English Regency Sheraton-Style Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Brass
English Regency Period Goncalo Alves and Gilt Brass Secretaire Bookcase
By John Mclean
Located in London, GB
A Regency period secretaire bookcase attributed to John Mclean of London. Constructed in a well figured goncalo alves, with extensive use of gilt brass accents. Rising from compressed ball brass feet, the lower section consists of two blind cupboard...
Brass
$2,300
H 48.43 in W 38.19 in D 19.69 in
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Brass
Small George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase, England, Circa 1790
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...
Mahogany
$2,137Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.21 in W 35.24 in D 13.59 in
Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
Brass
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century. This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk in solid oak with brass fitti...
Brass
English Adams Decorated Satinwood Carlton House Desk
Located in Perkasie, PA
English Adams Decorated Satinwood Carlton House Desk – Item L67252 This exquisite English Carlton House desk is a remarkable example of the refined decorative furniture associated w...
Satinwood
$2,079
H 72.45 in W 28.75 in D 17.33 in
Secretary Desk In English Style With Drop-Front & Display Cabinet In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
Secretary desk in mahogany with drop-front and display cabinet in classic English style from around 1890. Elegant and functional antique furniture. — Origin: England / Europe — Peri...
Mahogany
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
A stunning, petite French slant-top desk or "bureau de pente" in the Louis XV style, turquoise and gold polychromed with Chinoiserie detailing, and red under-body. Desk opens to rev...
Bronze
19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant and imposing late 19th century two-part Italian secretary bookcase cabinet or desk crafted in the Venetian and Rococo Revival period styles. The piece features a beautiful...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint, Glass
19th Century Gustavian-style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
A stunning 19th-century Gustavian painted secretary bookcase, adorned with an elegant arched top above two matching glazed doors, each embellished with six delicate mullions and gene...
Wood, Paint
Antique English Leather Top Campaign Desk
By E.G. Hudson
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome Antique British colonial desk featuring a tooled red leather top with a cross banded border double pedestals with drawers in front and cabinets in the back, campaign brass h...
Brass
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Mahogany
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
H 73 in W 40 in D 29.5 in
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional mid to early 19th century primitive American Plantation writing desk / hutch / cupboard / cabinet. Made from Pine and Poplar with a cherry finish. Featuring two piec...
Poplar, Pine
Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk Bureau, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Fabulous 1930s Art Deco heavily figured walnut bureau in the most wonderful shape. Not only does this great bureau look great its very functional too. The top opens up to reveal ev...
Chrome
Art Deco Secretaire Cabinet by Jules Deroubaix
Located in North York, ON
This Jules Deroubaix display cabinet secretaire is timeless, functional, and effortlessly chic. Made of burl sandalwood, it showcases a drop door paneled wit...
Brass, Chrome
Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very well made and finished slant front secretary on four carved saber form legs with carved, scalloped apron. The case is fitted with a pair of long drawers, with gilt foliate form ...
Brass
Sold
H 82 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display Curio Bookcase.Tall shapely cabriole/saber legs, broken arch top with finial, roll top desk, burl wood...
Glass, Laminate
Sold
H 82 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display Curio Bookcase.Tall shapely cabriole/saber legs, broken arch top with finial, roll top desk, burl wood...
Glass, Laminate
Sold
H 91 in W 42.5 in D 20 in
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Mahogany
Sold
H 82 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Regency Burlwood Laminate Saber Leg Tall Secretary Desk Display Curio Bookcase. Details: Tall shapely cabriole/saber legs, broken arch top with finial, roll top desk,...
Glass, Laminate
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A robust mahogany secrétaire made in England, circa 1820. The secretary’s upper body features glass front doors in an arched window formation, opened by a working lock and key. Insid...
Glass, Mahogany
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire (secretary desk) made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass-front doors of original panes that ope...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Burton-Ching 19th C Style Regency English Empire Sofa or Console Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Early 19th C Style Regency English Empire Sofa or Console Table
Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Mahogany
English Regency Style Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet In Two Parts
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An English Regency style mahogany bookcase cabinet with the upper part having fretwork enhanced glass doors with two adjustable wood sh...
Brass
Italian Regency Florentine Trompe l'oeil Secretary Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Italian regency two-part Trompe l'oeil secretaire with a drop-front desk made in Florence. The case features beautifully hand-painted whimsical motifs that decorate the ca...
Brass
Sold
H 90.75 in W 44.5 in D 24.5 in
English Regency Burl Walnut Blind Door Secretary Bookcase with Bun Feet, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency burl walnut arched dome pediment slant front secretary bookcase with three carved foliage bulbous finials, flanking hinged scalloped blind doors revealing a fitted in...
Brass
English 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fine English mahogany secretary, done in the Regency style circa 1830. This outstanding desk has an upper body for storage and display. There are three adjustable finished shelves ...
Brass
Sold
H 35 in W 18 in D 21.75 in
Rare Antique English Regency Rosewood Davenport with Spring-Loaded Pen Drawer
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This wonderful early 19th century Antique English Rosewood and ebonized Davenport or Ship Captain's Desk is one of the finest we've had in recent years. Davenports or Ship Captain's Desks are so-named originally for a Captain Davenport...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Sold
H 91 in W 40 in D 14.25 in
English Mahogany Fall Front Desk with Fitted Interior Unique Shallow Depth
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany fall front desk with fitted interior unique shallow depth.
Mahogany
19th Century Regency Period Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning early 19th century, George III - Regency period solid mahogany secretaire bookcase. Well proportioned mahogany bookcase with astragal...
Brass