The Regency Period and its Antiques: Exploring the Regency style, the designers, and the end of the period.
The Rise of Regency
The Regency period began after George IV was crowned King of England. It was George who became infamous for his lazy, selfish and profligate lifestyle. George IV eventually damaged the monarchy’s moral influence. He acquired an obsession with building projects, as a result this encouraged a style soon to be known as Regency. This brought to an end the Georgian influence in architecture.
The Designers
Most of Regency style transcended from Greek and Roman antiquity. The majority of this was in the form of structural and ornamental elements. Other global influences include Egyptian motifs, Chinese style imitation bamboo and Japanese black and gold lacquer pieces. Brighton Pavilion famously displays this.
The most prominent designers of the Regency period included names such as Thomas Hope, Henry Holland and John Nash.
Hope (1769-1831) was both a collector as well as a designer. By touring Europe Hope was able to become inspired by global styles as a source for his designs. Hope introduced the term ‘Interior Decoration’ to the British public in his book Household Furniture and Interior Decoration.
John Nash was one of Britains most famous Georgian and Regency architects. Sir Robert Taylor trained Nash and in 1777, he established his own business. Regents Park and Regents Street are two of Nash’s most famous developments.
The Architectural Style
Regency architecture has some prominent features such as tall, long and thin windows with very small glazing bars separating each panel of glass. Curved windows were another popular design. Particularly on the lower and ground floors. These features can be seen in the below image of the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath.
The style stemmed from Gothic Architecture, moulded into a modern revival. Proportions are kept simple, clean and classical for effect rather than decorative touches. The Georgian period drew many of its ideas from the Roman and Greek architecture and would include archways similar to those in Roman churches.
The Antiques Produced
Regency antiques are becoming highly sought after. Interestingly, most of the Regency period style was expressed through furniture such as tables, chairs and fireplaces. Other antiques that brilliantly display the Regency period include mirrors, a key item in Georgian dining rooms to allow the butlers to keep a watchful eye on their guests. The legs of furniture was something that the Regency period focused heavily on in their style.
At UK Architectural Heritage we carry a fantastic collection of Regency furniture and antiques. Below are some examples of the classic style that has carried through to todays sought after appearance. Four highly decorative, bronze lion paws removed from a piece of furniture. All four paws feature scrolling designs.
Other examples of Regency style antiques include the Egyptian revival of the Sphinx. The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. There are some variations. The Georgian period saw a rise in using these creatures architecturally. Croome Court in Worcester has two of the largest Coade Stone Sphinx statues situated at the entrance of the building. Please see the photo below. Similarly sphinxes can be found at High Head Palace.
We have dedicated a whole blog on Eleanor Coade and her famous stonework if you would like to read more about the amazing history.
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