Antiques & Furniture in the 19th Century: A Transformative Era

150 products

150 products
Irish Regency Convex Mirror Signed Arthur Williams, circa 1815, giltwood and ebonised – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Irish Regency Convex Mirror Signed Arthur Williams, circa 1815, giltwood and ebonised
Irish Regency Convex Mirror Signed Arthur Williams
Grand Tour Statuary Marble Bust of Eros di Centocelle, circa 1800, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Grand Tour Statuary Marble Bust of Eros di Centocelle, circa 1800
Grand Tour Statuary Marble Bust of Eros di Centocelle
Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror, 19th-century, Baroque, giltwood, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror, 19th-century, Baroque, giltwood
Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror
Federal Parcel Gilt Overmantle Mirror, circa 1800, ebonised and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Federal Parcel Gilt Overmantle Mirror, circa 1800, ebonised and glass
Federal Parcel Gilt Overmantle Mirror
Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani, 19th-century, Neo-Classical – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani, 19th-century, Neo-Classical
Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani
English Regency Black Japanned Chinoiserie Secretaire Cabinet, 19th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the English Regency Black Japanned Chinoiserie Secretaire Cabinet, 19th-century
English Regency Black Japanned Chinoiserie Secretaire Cabinet
George III Cellarette Attributed To Gillows, circa 1800, Regency, mahogany and brass – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the George III Cellarette Attributed To Gillows, circa 1800, Regency, mahogany and brass
George III Cellarette Attributed To Gillows
North Italian Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni, circa 1780, rosewood and ebonised – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the North Italian Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni, circa 1780, rosewood and ebonised
North Italian Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni
Chinoiserie Black Japanned Overmantel Mirror, 19th-century, Victorian, giltwood and glass – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Chinoiserie Black Japanned Overmantel Mirror, 19th-century, Victorian, giltwood and glass
Chinoiserie Black Japanned Overmantel Mirror
Repoussé silver six arm chandelier with intricate relief work, India circa 1900, height 79 cm, diameter 80 cm
Alternative view of the Repoussé Silver Six Arm Indian Chandelier, circa 1900, photographed from another angle
Repoussé Silver Six Arm Indian Chandelier
Pair of Cast Iron Versions of the Canova Lions, 19th-century, bronze, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Cast Iron Versions of the Canova Lions, 19th-century, bronze
Pair of Cast Iron Versions of the Canova Lions
English Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror, 19th-century, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
English Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
Regency Convex Mirror with a Black Eagle, giltwood and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Regency Convex Mirror with a Black Eagle
William IV rosewood centre table with brass inlaid leather top and sculptural paw feet – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Drum Table, circa 1830, leather, in the manner of George Bullock
Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Drum Table
Louis XVI Revival Bonheur Du Jour, By Diehl, 19th-century, Napoleon III, mahogany and ormolu, by Charles Guillaume Diehl
Alternative view of the Louis XVI Revival Bonheur Du Jour, By Diehl, 19th-century, Napoleon III, mahogany and ormolu
Louis XVI Revival Bonheur Du Jour | By Diehl
Pair Of George III Hepplewhite Mahogany Card Tables Attributed To Gillows, circa 1780, satinwood – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair Of George III Hepplewhite Mahogany Card Tables Attributed To Gillows, circa 1780, satinwood
Pair Of George III Hepplewhite Mahogany Card Tables Attributed To Gillows
Regency Gilt and Bronze Dishlight, crystal, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Regency Gilt and Bronze Dishlight
Fine English 19th Century Regency Convex Mirror, giltwood and ebonised, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Fine English 19th Century Regency Convex Mirror, giltwood and ebonised
Fine English 19th Century Regency Convex Mirror
19th century Anglo Indian carved ebony elephant group with mahouts and monkey on tree – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Indian Ebony Carved Group
Biedermeier Secretaire abattant, 19th-century, mahogany and oak, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Biedermeier Secretaire abattant, 19th-century, mahogany and oak
Biedermeier Secretaire abattant
William IV End Support Amboyna Veneered Writing Table, 19th-century, Regency, attributed to Morel & Seddon
Alternative view of the William IV End Support Amboyna Veneered Writing Table, 19th-century, Regency
William IV End Support Amboyna Veneered Writing Table
Pair of large gilt Empire vases with swan handles and green japanning circa 1820 Italy – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Parcel Gilt Empire Vases, circa 1820, photographed from another angle
Pair of Parcel Gilt Empire Vases
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Regency Rosewood Drum Table, circa 1810, brass and leather, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Regency Rosewood Drum Table, circa 1810, brass and leather
Regency Rosewood Drum Table
Gilt bronze and marble clock garniture with cherub and candelabra circa 1870 France – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Gilt Bronze, Bronze and Marble Clock Set Garniture, circa 1870, ormolu
Gilt Bronze, Bronze and Marble Clock Set Garniture
Chequerboard Ripple Moulded Mirror - Dutch Ebonised, circa 1720, glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Chequerboard Ripple Moulded Mirror - Dutch Ebonised, circa 1720, glass
Chequerboard Ripple Moulded Mirror - Dutch Ebonised
Pair of carved alabaster vases on pedestals floor lamps with neoclassical design elements – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair Alabaster Vases on Pedestals / Floor Lamps, circa 1850
Pair Alabaster Vases on Pedestals / Floor Lamps
Aesthetic Movement Breakfront Bookcase, Victorian, oak and glass, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Aesthetic Movement Breakfront Bookcase, Victorian, oak and glass
Aesthetic Movement Breakfront Bookcase
Pair of Louis XVI gilt bronze cassolettes, ormolu, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Louis XVI gilt bronze cassolettes, ormolu, photographed from another angle
Pair of Louis XVI gilt bronze cassolettes
Pair of 19th century solid ebony Anglo Indian armchairs with carved backs and caned seats – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Anglo Indian solid Ebony Armchairs, 19th-century
Pair of Anglo Indian solid Ebony Armchairs
Pair of Baltic Biedermeier armchairs with wooden frames and beige upholstery against a plain background
Alternative view of the pair of Neoclassical Fauteuils, circa 1810, ebonised, photographed from another angle
Pair of Neoclassical Fauteuils
PIETRO BAZZANTI — Marble Bust of Minerva, circa 1900, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the PIETRO BAZZANTI — Marble Bust of Minerva, circa 1900, photographed from another angle
PIETRO BAZZANTI — Marble Bust of Minerva
Extending Antique Dining Table in Flame Mahogany, 19th-century, Victorian, oak, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Extending Antique Dining Table in Flame Mahogany, 19th-century, Victorian, oak
Extending Antique Dining Table in Flame Mahogany
Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet, 19th-century, Victorian, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet, 19th-century, Victorian
Lamb of Manchester Ebonised and Ormolu Side Cabinet
Pair of Regency mahogany tub chairs with beige upholstery and carved detailing, ideal for library seating
Alternative view of the pair of Regency Mahogany Tub Chairs, brass, photographed from another angle
Pair of Regency Mahogany Tub Chairs
Chinese Republic Period silk painting of Canton Enamel vase with red coral, circa 1900 – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Chinese Republic Period Canton Enamel Vase Painting on Silk, circa 1900
Chinese Republic Period Canton Enamel Vase Painting on Silk
Anglo-Indian Tea Caddy, c. 1760, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Anglo-Indian Tea Caddy, c. 1760
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest, photographed from another angle
Regency Parcel Gilt Fragment of a Mirror Crest
Pair of Bronze Orientalist Candelabra by Charles Cumberworth, circa 1840, marble – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Bronze Orientalist Candelabra by Charles Cumberworth, circa 1840, marble
Pair of Bronze Orientalist Candelabra by Charles Cumberworth
18th century Ottoman polished hardstone and aventurine casket, elegant gilt tombak design – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Ottoman Hardstone And Gilt Tombak Casket, circa 1740, Empire
Ottoman Hardstone And Gilt Tombak Casket
Pair of Bronze and Gilt Classical Vases By Barbedienne, 19th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Bronze and Gilt Classical Vases By Barbedienne

The 19th century was a period of remarkable change and artistic evolution in the world of decorative arts. A wave of stylistic movements—including Neoclassicism, Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts, and Art Nouveau—reflected the shifting values, technological advancements, and social transformations of the time.

🏺 Neoclassicism and Revival Styles

In the early 1800s, Neoclassicism dominated European design, drawing heavily from ancient Greek and Roman ideals.

  • Features: Symmetry, clean lines, and classical motifs
  • Influence: Impacted architecture, ceramics, and refined furniture forms

Running parallel, the Gothic Revival embraced medieval aesthetics:

  • Characteristics: Ornate detailing, pointed arches, and vertical emphasis
  • Iconic Example: The Houses of Parliament in London, embodying this romantic architectural return

🪑 The Arts and Crafts Movement

Emerging mid-century, the Arts and Crafts movement responded directly to industrialization.

  • Philosophy: Advocated for handcrafted quality over machine-made uniformity
  • Design Ethos: Celebrated natural forms, honest materials, and artisanal craftsmanship
  • Mediums: Furniture, textiles, and ceramics infused with organic simplicity

🌿 Art Nouveau: Nature Takes Form

Toward the close of the century, Art Nouveau redefined aesthetics across Europe.

  • Visual Language: Flowing lines, botanical inspiration, and fluid forms
  • Innovation: Integrated modern materials such as cast iron and glass
  • Applications: Seen in furnishings, jewelry, glassware, and architectural details

⚙️ Technology and Society: Forces of Change

The Industrial Revolution dramatically reshaped production and design:

  • Mass Accessibility: Decorative arts became available to wider demographics
  • New Materials: Steel, glass, and composite techniques broadened creative possibilities
  • Educational Institutions: Institutions like the Royal College of Art and École des Beaux-Arts elevated design standards and encouraged experimentation

🧵 Conclusion: Bridging Eras

The 19th century's decorative arts served as a bridge between tradition and innovation. Each movement brought its own response to the cultural and technological shifts of the age, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence artists, designers, and craftsmen today.
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