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.
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
Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Basket by Thomas Wheatley, 1833
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique William IV Newcastle English sterling silver sugar basket by Thomas Wheatley; part of our silver dining collection This fine antiqu...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Baccarat Ice Bucket, Original Decorative Object, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Baccarat ice bucket is an original decorative object realized by Baccarat manufacture in the 1970s. Ice bucket entirely realized in crystal. ...
Crystal
Chinese Bent Handle Fisherman's Basket, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket can become a truly beautiful work of art. This bent handle basket was made i...
Willow, Bentwood
$3,384 / set
H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Three Rattan Bamboo Planters / Baskets with Brass Rim, Italy, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern rattan planters / baskets with brass rims. Italy, 1970s Three rattan baskets in different sizes. The larger one in squared shape and the smallers roun...
Brass
$1,536Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in W 5.71 in D 4.93 in
Antique Silver Rococo Style Sugar Bowl, Decorative Objects Gold Gilding Inside
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver Sugar Bowl with Lid Rococo Style, Gilt Interior, Collectible An exceptional antique silver box or decorative sugar bowl, exquisitely crafted in the Rococo style with o...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,700 / set
H 25.99 in Dm 11.03 in
Sculptural Wooden Planters / Decorative Bowls Hand-Crafted in Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
These sculptural display bowls were hand crafted on the island of java from solid teak wood. With their elevated elongated shape they would look great as a collection of decorative b...
Wood, Teak
$460Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.76 in W 5.91 in D 1.58 in
Antique Sterling Silver Bowl Small Fruit Basket Relief Pictori Decorative Object
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver bowl small fruit basket with relief, openwork decorative object hallmarked sterling silver oval bon bon dish bowl intricate cut out ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Large Rattan Bamboo Round Planter / Basket with Brass Rim, Italy 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Rattan Bamboo Round Planter with Brass Rim, Italy, 1970s Mid-Century Modern decorative rattan and brass planter or basket. Handcrafted in Italy. Round shape with gilded brass ...
Brass
Chinese Bent Handle Fisherman's Basket, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket can become a truly beautiful work of art. This bent handle basket was made i...
Bentwood, Willow
$2,391
H 14.18 in W 15.75 in D 14.18 in
Rattan Large Round Planter / Basket with Ring Handles and Brass Rim, Italy 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern rattan pencil reed large planter or basket. Handcrafted in Italy, 1970s. Round shaped rattan structure with brass rim and ring handles at both sides. Ins...
Brass
$1,728Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 14.18 in Dm 10.24 in
Antique Silver Cup, Swedish Nickel Silver Sugar Sprinkler Östberg Lenhardtsons
Located in Wembley, GB
Swedish Nickel Silver Sugar Sprinkler Östberg Lenhardtsons Stockholm A highly refined and decorative Swedish nickel silver sugar sprinkler, attributed to Östberg & Lenhardtsons Nya ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$388Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in W 6.3 in D 4.93 in
Antique Silver-Plated Shell Salt Cella Matching Tongs, Collectible Sugar Bowl
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Shell Salt Cellar with Matching Tongs, c. Early 20th Century Elevate your table setting with this exquisite antique silver-pla...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Hammered Copper Footed Pedestal Bowl with Decorative Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Hammered Copper Footed Pedestal Bowl with Decorative Handles. The bowl would be a lovely placed on a large kitchen island, as a centerpiece with flowers or fruit, or sta...
Copper
Sold
H 14.25 in W 6 in D 1.75 in
English Cast Brass Doorstop Depicting A Berry & Foliage Basket , Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English cast brass doorstop depicting a berry and foliage basket with a wheat sheath intertwined handle, and a weighted cast lead insert , Early 19th century.
Brass, Lead