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Regency

The Regency Period

The influence of the Greek classical tradition is clearly to be seen in the work of the Regency designers at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The decoration of this period is, however, characterised by a tendency, which rapidly increased, towards greater simplicity and austerity of treatment than is to be found in the preceding era. The more or less elaborate ornament with which the Brothers Adam adorned the outside as well as the inside of their houses gives place to plain, painted stucco on exterior work, with simple projecting bands instead of decorated cornices and, inside, a more limited range of motifs of a restrained character, as, for example, the fret or honeysuckle.

Although many Regency interiors are extremely attractive and have an atmosphere and dignity all their own, the period may be said to mark the beginning of the decline from the great age of English decoration. The innate instinct for fine proportion which is so notable a feature of Adam rooms was not inherited by the successors of the Brothers, and this quality, which, more than any other, is responsible for the beauty of their work, slowly but steadily deteriorates as the century goes on.

A change in colour treatments is to be noted, stronger and more sombre Colours being preferred by Regency decorators to the paler and delicate hues generally employed in the previous period.