The Regency Period in the opening years of the 19th Century marked a definitive move from the ascetic style of George III towards a flourishing of the decorative arts in a more extravagant and uninhibited style under the Prince Regent, the future George IV. One of the greatest patrons of the arts and architecture, an age where upper class society prospered in a mini-Renaissance. This era heralds a return to influences from the classical Greek and Roman periods, a thriving time of culture and refinement which saw the commissioning and refurbishment of notable architectural works of excellence such as the exotic Brighton Pavilion and the ornate Carlton House.
Designers who distinguished themselves in this period were Thomas Hope, George Smith and Henry Holland. Glamorously elegant, Regency is a period where furniture had moved from natural evolution to return to the Classical. Highly decorative and rich with motifs such as winged griffins, lions heads, animal legs and Roman Gods. Wooden frames were often gilded, brass inlays were added to wood. Stylistic elements such as metal grille’s, ormolu, scroll end couches, sofa tables, graceful sabre legs and cable twists are all signature characteristics of an early 19th Century Regency piece.
Please visit sections of our website to see some of the other fine Regency pieces in both our Dublin and New York Galleries.
