Relevant categories: Bookcases,Dressers and Sideboards,Dining Tables
(Above photo - Antique Regency sideboard )
Regency antiques refer to all decorative items produced when George, Prince of Wales was regent. It also spans the reign of King George IV in England. The period within which that happened lies between 1800 and 1830. In most cases, the regency style borrowed a lot from both the Greek and Roman antiquity. Designers sought to recreate actual pieces of furniture from classical artwork, vaults, and museums. When French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte returned from his conquests, he brought with him ancient Egyptian artifacts. That is the reason many Regency antiques feature elements from recovered Egyptian artifacts. For example, you will find thematic motifs representing old gods, griffins, lions, sphinxes, and other ornamental pieces. Within that time, there was a revival of influences from Japan and China. From the east, designers picked up the use of bamboo or pieces of wood carved to look like bamboo. Some pieces of furniture even had lacquered finishes.
Regency Style
(Above photo - Regency pedestal dining table ) Clearly, many cultural influences determined how regency antiques ended up. Also, the use of heavy ornamentation ensured the pieces of furniture remained elegant. Unlike furniture from previous periods, the pieces didn’t have lots of carved lines or carvings. Instead, they feature ordinary lines and exteriors. The legs were often slender, standing at right angles. With such a simple background, the ornamentation was highlighted even more.
During the Regency period, the furniture became smaller in height. That way, it would be easy for artists to paint and include other decorations. With shrank shelves, the furniture had more space for displaying curios and other treasures.
Key Elements
(Above photo - Antique Regency sideboard chiffonier ) One of the defining elements of Regency antiques is the type of wood used. The most dominant wood was mahogany. To make high-end pieces of furniture, designers relied more on exotic wood, such as ebony. On both the mahogany and ebony pieces, designers would add rosewood or zebrawood veneers. The purpose was to make the surface strikingly elegant while enhancing clean lines.
Later on, ornate elements were included in the furniture design. The primary materials for the ornate details were brass. However, some used ormolu or brass. Some pieces of furniture also had brass inlays along with corners, handles, hinges, and legs. Other elements included lion heads or brass rosettes for holding rings on drawers and cabinet doors. The furniture legs had bases made from brass animal figures such as lions. On cabinets, the glass inserts were covered by lattice-patterned brass grills.
Who Were The Designers?
(Above photo - Set Regency antique dining chairs in mahogany )
It was the preferences of the regent ruler of England that mainly led to the popularity of the style. He commissioned designers to create pieces of furniture for use in the Royal Pavilion. During that time, some designers became prominent for their work. They include George Smith, Thomas Sheraton, Thomas Hope, and Henry Holland.
Regent Antiques Today
(Above photo - Antique Regency bookcases in satinwood ) Due to their uniquely elegant designs, regent antiques are still popular with both first-time buyers and collectors. If you are one of them, we have all types of items from which you can choose. We can assure you that you will find the exact piece of furniture you are looking for.
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