Regency furniture dates from a small period of time 1811 to 1830, when Prince George the Prince of Wales was Regent. Foreign influence was high in fashion in the design of antique furniture and Inspiration from times of old, with neoclassical and empire styles from Egypt, Greece and Rome. The main area of the English Regency style included the scroll ended Grecian couch and the use of animal heads on chair arms. It was the new fashion to commission cabinet makers to copy exact replicas of ancient furniture and even copy early stone furniture, producing them in timbers such as Mahogany. The houses of the period also had these unique features integrated with large Corinthian columns and pediments above the entrance, meaning this new fine Regency furniture would fit in perfectly. Exotic woods were used from Rosewood, Zebra-wood and interesting inlay was used like Brass.
In 1808 George Smith brought to the middle classes the fashions created by the prince of Wales and it was at this time that Rosewood with its distinctive grain, became very popular. Mahogany was still very widely used as cabinet makers liked the durability and finish that Mahogany offered. These pieces had to be highly French polished to offer that ‘mirrored’ look. Features such as the Brass lion paw feet, sabre legs, reeding and out-swept legs were widely used on pieces such as card tables, chairs and Dining tables, with motifs and fine inlays.
Styles Of Regency Furniture
By 1805 a new form of furniture in the style of ancient Greek had appeared, some pieces were chairs in which a horizontal curved band of wood supported the small of the back, and legs took on a curved appearance in the distinctive Regency sabre shape. After the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 chairs often had one or more horizontal back supports carved in a rope design, supposedly as a reference to the sea and the victory.This beautiful set of eight mahogany antique Regency dining chairs consists of two carvers and six dining chairs. Each chair has a curved top rail with ebony and boxwood inlay above a central beautifully carved lyre back splat with striking bird’s eye maple centres. The chairs have splayed back legs, beautifully turned front legs and early brown leather seats with a stud trim.
This Striking Rosewood Regency Antique Games Table has a beautifully figured top that sits above an elegant scrolled carved frieze beneath a bulbous octagonal central pedestal and stands on a quadraform base with spectacular lion paw carved feet and castors. Only a true skilled craftsman could have built this spectacular piece due to the magnificent quality and detailing.
Unusual shapes were produced with fine inlays like this rare Regency antique chest of drawers with a country house feel and made from a mellow Mahogany with a serpentine shape. It has four graduating cock beaded drawers with decorative ebony inlay, solid brass handles and standing on shaped bracket feet with a shaped apron.
Grand and large pieces of Regency furniture was made for the wealthy. This extremely rare and high quality antique bookcase has been made in a striking plum pudding Mahogany; it has been built by a true Regency craftsman. We had this piece finished by our professional antiques furniture restorers using traditional methods, so is was superb condition.
This magnificent large Regency break-front antique sideboard has fabulous original lion head handles and a beautifully figured grain. The right hand interior swivels out in a bow front showing true craftsmanship and attention to detail. This Spectacular antique stands on six beautifully turned legs and is an exquisite piece of furniture.
