Regency Revival Mahogany Armchair with Tropical Upholstery and Wicker Back. Labels on underside, one indicating it was manufactured by Best Chairs, Inc. in Ferdinand, Indiana. 

Condition: Commensurate with age. 

Size: 24 x 26 1/2 x 35 1/2 in. 

The Regency style seen in furniture, architecture, and crafts developed first in the United Kingdom after the reign of King George III (a period of time known as the Georgian Era), who suffered a long bout of physical and mental illness at the end of his life. In 1811 a Regency Act was passed by Parliament, which declared the King unfit to rule due to the state of his health, and named his eldest son George, Prince of Wales, Prince Regent. He ruled in his father’s stead until he was named King George IV upon the death of his father in 1820. While the formal Regency only lasted nine years, the Regency Era also includes the rule of King George IV from his coronation until his death in 1830, reflecting the unique origins of his rule. One of the most influential designers of this period was the architect John Nash, who served as court architect for King George IV and whose works include the Royal Pavilion, Marble Arch, and Buckingham Palace. Neoclassical and picturesque themes were characteristic of his work, and were soon mirrored in furnishings, clothing, and artwork throughout the country. Additionally, architect and designer Thomas Hope published his book Household Furniture and Decoration in 1807, which was the first to use the term “interior decoration.” Hope’s extensive travels (including the Grand Tour) heavily influenced his aesthetic, which juxtaposed the ancient with the modern. Thomas Hope advocated the use of top-quality materials, such as mahogany wood and ornately crafted metals, and his designs included copious use of ornamentation for a luxurious effect. Another major influence on the Regency style were scientific expeditions and archaeological discoveries of the time. For much of the British population this was their first exposure to the styles of other cultures. The Regency Era also coincided with Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign over France, a period known as the Napoleonic Era, which saw nearly constant military conflict across Europe, and which isolated England for a time from many external European influences. There have been numerous revivals of the style since then, beginning with a major one in the mid 1930s as growing xenophobia and nationalism began to loom in the aftermath of the worldwide Great Depression, shaping the next two decades. 

Commensurate with age. 

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