Regency

DEFINITION

Refers to one of the periods during which a person or group has been selected to govern in the place of a ruler who is either absent, disabled, or too young to govern. In England, this is the style of design prevalent during the regency from 1811-1820, of the future George IV. An example is Paul Storr's (English, active 1785-1838) Centerpiece, 1810-1811, silver with mark: date letter P, width at base: 18 x 14 inches, Birmingham Museum of Art. Among the French, it refers to the style prevalent during the regency from 1674-1723, of Philippe, Duc d'Orleans.