The Regence, or French Regency, period refers to the time after the demise of Louis XIV when France was ruled by Philippe, the Duke of Orleans, during Louis XV's minority.
Regence furniture represents another phase of the wider and preceding Baroque furniture of Louis XIV. Its main distinguishing characteristic is seen in the work of Juste Aurele Meissonnier, in whose published designs we see a very asymmetrical, organic style using natural motifs, these forms becoming popularised and used and by other furniture makers as well as metalsmiths, and other craftsmen.