Regency lighting refers to lighting made in Britain during the Regency period, broadly from about 1800 to the 1830s, a time of rapid innovation in lamp design and of strongly classical decoration. It includes chandeliers, hall lanterns, candelabra, wall lights, colza and Argand oil lamps and sinumbra lamps.
The Argand burner, introduced in the 1780s, transformed domestic lighting by producing a brighter, steadier flame, and it was incorporated into fine bronze and gilt-bronze lamps in the Regency period. Colza oil lamps, sinumbra lamps and astral lamps were designed to minimise shadow cast by the oil reservoir. Fashionable chandeliers of the period include tent and waterfall cut-glass designs, while bronze and ormolu chandeliers and colza lamps were made in Greek, Egyptian and French Empire styles, often with anthemion, acanthus and lion's mask ornament. Leading makers included William Parker and the firm of Perry & Co., and Matthew Boulton's workshop had earlier produced fine ormolu. Collectors look for quality of casting and gilding, original glass and good proportions. Most surviving pieces have been converted to electricity, and sensitive conversion, preserving original parts, is preferred.
