It was unexpected that, at the age of 64, William IV was crowned king of England. He had two older brothers, yet the death of Prince Frederick put him in line for the British throne when George IV died in 1830. His reign was brief, as he died on June 20, 1837, but it was a pivotal time of change, with parliamentary reform leading to the present-day constitutional monarchy. Antique William IV–style furniture reflects this period of transition, with forms that bridged the neoclassicism of the preceding Regency style and the more extravagant Victorian style that would follow.
Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, William IV designs were often more imposing than Regency furniture and featured decorative attributes. There were sofas balanced on lion’s feet and tables with brass fittings. But furnishings of this period were largely marked by straight lines and subdued ornamentation compared to those of the George IV era. William IV had an unassuming way about him and was much more formal, whereas the ruler who preceded him was a king of extravagance. George IV had an affinity for French decor and was heavily invested in overhauling the private residences at Windsor Castle.
Carvings on William IV four-poster beds and cabinets included scrolling shapes, lotus leaves and acanthus, while popular pieces like tilt-top tables and upholstered seating on caster legs provided flexible interiors. Richly toned woods like mahogany and rosewood were used for sideboards, bedposts boasting reeded details and dining chairs with intricate chair backs and turned front legs.
William IV left no legitimate heirs, so his young niece, Victoria, became queen. She would lead an era of taste in which the innovations of the Industrial Revolution allowed for manufacturing showier furniture to fill elaborate interiors. With its comparatively refined forms and restrained designs, William IV style was a pause before a time of radical aesthetic change.
Find a collection of authentic William IV tables, armchairs, decorative objects and other 19th-century furniture and antiques on 1stDibs.
1830s 7 Pcs William IV Brass and Steel Fireplace Tools on Marble Stand Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A set William IV brass and steel Fireplace tools on marble stand, Set of 7, Circa. 1830s Set consist of a Tong, a poker, a shovel, two brass toasting forks...
Marble, Brass, Steel, Iron
Torchère Pedestal Stand of Turned Mahogany from England (H 57)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English torchère (torchière) or column pedestal stand of mahogany - in the William IV style - featuring a moulded round top for candles or plants, turned column support, and r...
Wood, Mahogany
Pair of English Cast Iron and Powered Coated Campana-Form Garden Urns, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English cast iron and powered coated campana-form garden urns with an exterior intertwined grape vine frieze, flanking figural lion side handles, and resting on gadrooned circular squared plinths, Mid- 19th century. Pair have been powder coated Charleston green...
Iron
Antique William IV Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A large and imposing English William IV fireplace in pencil vein Carrara marble, with paneled pilaster jambs with twin corbel brackets supporting a long wide and generous mantel. Som...
Carrara Marble
Irish Mahogany Peat Bucket
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly Dutch with brass bail handle and liner. Tapered ribbed body with brass strapping.
Brass
Antique Irish Kilkenny Marble Fireplace Mantle
Located in London, GB
A William IV period Irish carved corbel fireplace in highly fossilised Kilkenny marble. The pilaster jambs with elegant carved corbel brackets supporting wide and generous mantle wit...
Marble
A Magnificent Finely Carved Statuary William IV Chimneypiece
Located in London, GB
A magnificent finely carved statuary William IV chimneypiece. The moulded shelf sits over a finely carved continuous frieze with central acanthus bloom, harebells and foliage details. The foliate and berry corner blocks, set over scroll and flower in relief. The jambs echo the finely detailed frieze with anthemion, harebell and floral motifs. The inner moulding framing the opening in fine carved lambs...
Statuary Marble
$5,900 / set
Elegant Set of Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of 19th century steel fire tools comprising a pierced shovel, poker and pair of tongs, the former with oval paterea and foliate design, all with octagonal tear drop handles ...
Steel
$4,900 / set
Fine Set of Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of 19th century gunmetal steel fire tools comprising a shovel, pair of tongs and poker, all with turned handles, the shovel with pierced geometric pattern, all with pleasing...
Steel
An antique black fossil and Portoro marble fireplace made during the 1830's
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An antique black fossil and Portoro marble fireplace made during the William IV period (1830’s). The shelf, jambs, frieze and foot-blocks are made from black marble with subtle fossi...
Marble
19th Century William IV Brass Fire Fender of Serpentine Form
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century William IV brass fire fender of serpentine form, with central cartouche flanked by stylised foliage, scrolls and acanthus leaves.
Brass
Set of English Polished Steel Urn Finial Fire Place Tools on Stand, C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of English polished steel urn finial fire place tools on stand, Mid 19th century Set consist of tong, pierced shovel, and poker.
Steel
English Brass Figural Knight & Bear Shield Door Stop with Step Back Base, C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass figural knight and decorative bear shield door stop with step back rectangular base, Mid 19th Century. Knighted Guy Earle of Warwick.
Brass, Lead
Antique Carved White Statuary Marble Fireplace
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
The fireplace features beautifully carved corbels set on canted jambs, scrolled and carved with floral detail at the bottom. The deep shelf is serpentine s...
Antique Cast Iron Georgian Fireplace Insert
Located in Ware, GB
This original William IV register grate is embellished with ornate acanthus detailing throughout the hood of the opening. A very grand piece, that has been fully restored in-house...
Iron
English William IV Ormolu Brass Fireplace Grate with Dragons & Serpents
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pierced and engraved brass & iron English grate with opposing dragons and serpents interspersed with foliage and centred by flowers
Brass, Iron
William IV Amboyna and Rosewood Table/ Jardiniere
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV amboyna and rosewood table / jardiniere, in two sections with a fitted circular cover above a sloping bowl enclosing a replaced brass lining, bold gadrooning to the unde...
Rosewood, Amboyna
William IV Black Belgian Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A William IV Black Belgian marble fireplace, the frieze flanked by jambs headed by stylised lotus leaf corbels, on block feet. Measures: Openin...
Belgian Black Marble
Antique Sphinx 1833 Felix Austin England Gargen Sculpture
Located in Munich, DE
This very impressive sphinx is fully signed and dated on the plinth 'Felix Austin 1833, England'. This monumental sculpture is made of artificial limestone, an invention of F. Austin. The sculpture is made for outdoors and is weather resistant. The plinth is contemporary and custom made out painted wood. Literature: John P.S. Davis, Antique Garden Ornament...
Limestone
English Lead Figural Fountain of Musical Pan with Flanking Plumbed Flutes C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead figural fountain of musical pan with flanking plumbed flutes standing atop a circular globe and resting on an octagonal base with flanking frogs. Mid 19th Century. Fount...
Copper, Lead
Antique William IV Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A large early 19th century surround in "Old English" Carrara marble. Having a generous and moulded mantel, with a plain frieze. The brackets with carved guilloche in a fielded panel,...
Carrara Marble
English Brass Navette Form Coal Hod with Flanking Unicorn & Lion Crest. C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass navette form coal hod with centered chased handle, two hinged lids revealing original tin lined interior, flanking unicorn and lion crest, and resting on an oval base w...
Brass, Tin
English Brass Flanking Lion Coat of Arms Fire Place Tools on Rope Stand, C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass flanking lion coat of arms fire place tools with a spiral urn bulbous finial, adjustable flanking candle holders, and resting on a stylized rope Stand. Set consists of ...
Brass, Iron
Large Scottish William iv Manner Statuary Marble Fireplace Surround
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A large and elegant Scottish, lightly veined statuary marble fireplace surround in the manner of William IV. A generous top shelf with rounded corners sits above a stepped full lengt...
Statuary Marble
English Lead Figural Lady Garden Statue Standing on Squared Plinth, circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead figural lady garden statue standing on squared plinth. mid 19th century.
Lead
$5,900 / set
Fine Set of Bronze and Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of bronze and steel firetools, the bronze handles with foliage and vine pattern and button finial over simple shafts, the shaped shovel with acanthus leaf and strapwork pier...
Bronze, Steel
English Marble Bust of Parliament Gentleman on Plinth, John Graham Lough C. 1855
By John Graham Lough
Located in Charleston, SC
English Marble bust of Parliament gentleman displayed on a circular plinth. Signed by maker John Graham Lough, London Mid 19th Century. Lough sculp...
Statuary Marble
English Lead Sundial On Painted Wood Base . Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead sundial resting on fluted painted circular wood base. Mid 19th Century
English Figural Lead Fountain with a Young Man Blowing on a Conch Shell, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English figural lead fountain with a young man blowing a conch shell while standing on a rocky plinth. Fountain is in working condition, Mid-19th century.
Copper, Lead
Pair of English Brass Melon and Figural Cherub Medallion Andirons, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass three-tiered andirons with fluted finials, turned bulbous centered melon columns resting on squared plinths, matching finial log stops, flanking figural cherubs...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of English Brass Dragon Finial Andirons with Scrolled Leg & Paw Feet C 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass flanking dragon finial andirons with decorative foliage plinths, original rear wrought iron spiral dog legs, and resting on scrolle...
Brass, Wrought Iron
English Tole Floral & Butterfly Decorative Bucket with Egyptian Handles, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English tole floral and butterfly decorative painted bucket with flanking Egyptian revival gilt handles, Mid-19th century.
Brass, Tin
Pair of English Brass Spiral Ball Andirons with Flanking Lion & Pegasus. C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass spiral ball on ball andirons with bulbous urn finials, squared plinths with centered mask lions, matching brass ball log stops with...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of English Polished Steel and Nickel Silver Andirons. Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English polished steel and nickel silver andirons with a urn top finial, twisted centered column, adjustable spit hooks, and terminating on sc...
Pair of English William IV Gilt Bronze Pedestals with Round Platform Tops
Located in London, GB
A Pair of William IV Gilt Bronze Torchères Each of the tall stands with circular tops and engraved swags to the bowl, emerging from the lotus-leaf cast, tapering and reeded stem joi...
Brass, Bronze
$6,250 / set
Very Fine Set of Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine set of William IV polished steel fire tools having facet cut edges, the finials of stylized poppy head design, the shovel with pierced decorati...
Steel
$2,485 / set
Pair of William IV Carved Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine pair of early 19th Century William IV Mahogany Hall Chairs, hand-carved with rich patination and grain. Chairs feature scrolled and curved back with center hand-painted ...
Mahogany
William IV Statuary Marble Chimneypiece
Located in London, GB
An elegant and architectural William IV statuary marble chimneypiece, the stepped frieze raised on double pilaster jambs on block feet. Restored, polished and ready to install. Dim...
Statuary Marble
Pair of English Brass Ball Finial and Acanthus Paw Tool Rest, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass spiral ball finial tool rest with acanthus scrolled legs and terminating on stylized lions paw feet, Mid-19th century.
Brass
A William IV Antique Register Grate by Carron, early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An ornately decorated Register Grate in the manner of the William IV, made by the Carron Foundry in Falkirk. Scottish early 19th Century. External Height: 38″ – 96.5 cm External Wid...
Iron