Antique furniture periods explained: Georgian to Art Deco

Walk into any antique shop and you’ll hear the shorthand — “it’s Georgian”, “that’s a Victorian piece”, “lovely bit of Edwardian”. It can sound like a secret language, but the broad periods are easy to learn, and once you can place a piece roughly in time, the whole world of antiques opens up. Here’s a friendly tour from the 1700s to the 1930s.

Georgian (1714–1837)

The golden age of English furniture, named after the four King Georges. Think elegant proportions, fine mahogany and walnut, and restrained good taste — the era of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Georgian pieces tend to be beautifully made by hand, with hand-cut dovetails and a lovely mellow colour. A Georgian chest or bureau still looks quietly right in almost any room today.

Regency (roughly 1811–1820)

A short, stylish flourish within the late Georgian period. Regency furniture is bolder and more classical — sabre legs, brass inlay, and inspiration drawn from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Confident and decorative, it’s a favourite of interior designers.

Victorian (1837–1901)

Queen Victoria’s long reign brought the machine age, and with it furniture made in greater quantity for a growing middle class. Victorian pieces are often heavier and more ornate, in dark mahogany, walnut and rosewood, with plenty of carving and comfort. This is where many people start collecting — there’s a lot of it, it’s superbly sturdy, and it’s wonderful value.

Edwardian (1901–1910)

A reaction against Victorian heaviness. Edwardian furniture is lighter and more graceful, often revisiting Georgian and Sheraton designs, with inlay and satinwood. Slim, elegant and practical for smaller modern rooms — an under-appreciated period worth seeking out.

Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco

The turn of the century brought design movements rather than monarchs. Arts and Crafts celebrated honest, hand-made oak; Art Nouveau flowed with natural, sinuous lines; and Art Deco (the 1920s–30s) burst in with bold geometry, exotic veneers and glamour. Each has a devoted following today.

How to place a piece yourself

• Look at the timber: walnut and early mahogany lean Georgian; heavy dark mahogany and rosewood often say Victorian.
• Look at the construction: hand-cut, slightly uneven dovetails suggest earlier work; perfectly even machine joints point later.
• Look at the feel: restrained elegance versus ornate abundance versus bold geometry — the “mood” of a piece is a real clue.

None of this needs to be exact to be enjoyed — and we’re always happy to talk you through a piece in person. Have a browse of the collection to see the periods side by side, or read our guide tobuying antiques for the first time.