Pair of Regency Side Chairs

Pair of Regency side chairs, the backs with richly carved and highly sculptural top rail, horizontal splat. The chairs with generous upholstered seats and raised on sabre legs with a bead and tobacco leaf detail to the front apron. England, circa 1815

The Regency period in Britain (1811–1820, though its influence extended into the 1830s) was a time of elegance, refinement, and innovation in the decorative arts. Furniture design from this era reflected both classical inspiration and a growing taste for exoticism, as Britain’s expanding empire brought new materials and motifs to fashionable interiors. Influenced by ancient Greek and Roman forms, pieces were often sleek and symmetrical, with clean lines and restrained ornamentation, yet enriched with details such as brass inlay, gilt mounts, and finely carved decoration. Mahogany remained the favoured wood, though rosewood and exotic veneers gained popularity, adding richness and contrast. Designers such as Thomas Hope and George Smith championed the neoclassical style, while chinoiserie and Egyptian motifs also found their way into Regency drawing rooms. The result was furniture that combined elegance with a cosmopolitan flair, perfectly suited to the sophisticated social culture of the age.