Regency style (redirected from Regency architecture)

Regency style, in English architecture, flourished during the regency and reign of George IV (1811–30) and was chiefly represented by the court architect John Nash. The period is characterized by the diversity of the architectural styles of many countries and periods. For the prince regent, John Nash constructed at Brighton the Royal Pavilion (1815–22) in the Indian style; it included exotic furnishings. The preponderant trend, however, was neoclassical, as seen in the works of Sir John Soane and George Dance II and in the rigid geometric order of Nash's design for Regent's Park in London. During this time stucco was often used on the exterior of buildings, and bay windows and balconies were in vogue. Furniture design was eclectic and showed the influence of Greek, Roman, Gothic, Egyptian, and Asian ornament.

Bibliography

See P. Reilly, An Introduction to Regency Architecture (1948); J. Harris, Regency Furniture Designs (1961); C. Musgrave, Regency Furniture (1961).

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Regency style

Style in the decorative arts and architecture produced in England during the regency (1811–20) and reign (1820–30) of George IV. Designers borrowed both structural and ornamental elements from Greek and Roman antiquity. Egyptian motifs, inspired by Napoleon's Egyptian campaign of 1798, became part of the Regency fashion. A resurgence of a taste for chinoiserie is seen in imitation bamboo and in “japanned” lacquerwork. The prince's taste for French furniture popularized pieces ornamented with brass marquetry in the French style. Ornamentation relied on rich contrasts of exotic wood veneers and application of metal or painting rather than extensive carving.