Living in Asia, I haven't had experience with European antiques. I'm interested in Regency furniture. Any tips?
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS
'The Regency period is anomalous because it covers more than the period from 1811-1820, when King George III was pronounced insane and his son, George, Prince of Wales, was made Prince Regent,' says David Harvey, managing director of British-based dealers W.R. Harvey & Co.
The prince, who eventually became King George IV, had an insatiable appetite for collecting, says Harvey. He influenced fine and decorative arts from as early as 1800 until his death in 1830. 'The Regency period is accepted as being those 30 years,' Harvey says. 'His furnishing of Carlton House in London and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton fused many strands of artistic endeavour such as the gothic, neoclassical and oriental into one style. The same was true for his lavish refurbishments of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.'
REGENT HISTORY
'During this period, France and Britain were locked in a global battle for dominance, which was finally settled with Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo,' Harvey says. 'This victory saw Britain become the most powerful trading nation of the 19th century, which in turn influenced every aspect of the arts.'