Regency Period c. 1800-1835

The principal arbiter of taste in the Regency period was the Prince Regent himself. His patronage at Carlton House, Brighton Pavilion and Windsor Castle drove the taste of the Royal Court and by extension the governing classes. The principal style of the period is robust Neo-classicism with favoured motifs including lotus leaves, anthemions and turned reeded legs or sabre legs. Craftsmen liked to explore contrasts between woods and decorative finishes: dark rosewood was often coupled with ormolu mounts. The most important designers and cabinet-makers of the Regency period were Gillows of Lancaster, George Bullock, Thomas Hope and George Smith.