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.
Masons Ironstone large Punch Bowl in Curled Leaf & Flower Basket ptn, circa 1838
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Large twin Handled open Punch Bowl made by Mason's Ironstone in a beautiful pattern called: Curled Leaf and flower Basket, made in the early 19th century, William 1Vth peri...
Ironstone
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
Newcastle English Sterling Silver Sugar Basket
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
Very Fine Butter Dish, circa 1835
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A Very Fine 19th century Butter Dish, circa 1835 Additional information: Date : William IV-Victoria c1835 Origin : England Bowl Features : Pillar moulded and miter cut Marks ...
Glass
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
$1,550
H 4.25 in Dm 9.75 in
Spode “Tabacco Leaf” Punch Bowl after Chinese Export Design, England, ca. 1820
By B. Spode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Spode “Tabacco Leaf” Punch bowl after Chinese Export design, England ca. 1820.
Porcelain
$3,502 / 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
$324
H 3.25 in W 6.63 in D 5.38 in
John Ridgway Ironstone Bowl Hand-Painted pattern, William 1Vth Circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a highly decorative, ironstone, twin handled circular footed Bowl by John Ridgway, dating to the English William 1Vth period, circa 1835 . The bowl has been carefully hand-painted in bold colorful enamels with a chinoiserie pattern of three oriental people travelling on a boat, pattern number 5057. It is also richly hand gilded. John Ridgway operated at his father’s celebrated Cauldon Place works, Shelton, Hanley, England, between 1830-1856, producing some fine porcelain and stone China of excellent quality. His stone China earthenwares and ironstone wares are discussed on page 305 of Godden's Guide to Ironstone, Stone and Granite Wares written by Geoffrey Godden for the Antique Collectors Club. This piece is fully marked to the base with an Imperial Stone China...
Ironstone
$775
H 4.75 in W 8.25 in D 6.75 in
Early 20th Century Franz Anton Mehlem Royal Bonn Delft Sardine or Butter Dish
By Royal Bonn
Located in Dallas, TX
This faience decorative box was crafted in Germany, circa 1900; attributed to Royal Bonn (trade name for Franz Anton Mehlem), the dish is rectangular in shape and sits on an attached platter base. It features a figural dolphin in high relief as the handle on the removal top lid. The lid is decorated with a hand painted windmill landscape, further while the sides are also decorated with windmill and sailboats at sea. The kitchen ware...
Faience, Porcelain
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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...
Bentwood, Willow
$528Sale Price|34% Off
H 5.12 in W 6.3 in D 4.93 in
Antique Sugar Bowl Gilded Interior, English Silver-Plated Ornate Floral Design
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique English Silver-Plated Sugar Bowl with Gilded Interior, Ornate Floral Design Description: This antique English silver-plated sugar bowl features an elegant gilded (gold-wash...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Handmade Brass Cast Leaf Decorative Bowl, Large
Located in London, London
Unique and exquisite brass cast leaf decorative bowl. Handmade using highly skilled and specialised traditional processes to create an original and sumptuous piece. Slight variation...
Brass
$2,476
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
$285
H 2 in W 10.75 in D 7.25 in
Antique English Ironstone Bowl Decorated in the Imari Palette, Circa 1830
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Made by Spode in England circa 1830, this oval ironstone bowl is decorated with flowers in a rich Imari palette of cobalt blue and iron red, with accents of green foliage. The floral...
Ironstone
Antique Large Oriental Chinese Famille Rose Punch Bowl
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large fine quality Oriental Chinese famille rose punch bowl. Dates from the mid 20th Century. Would look amazing in the righ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 5.5 in W 16 in D 12.25 in
Imperial Standard Peck " County Of Derby " Bronze Measure by Bate Of London
Located in Essex, MA
By Bate, London. R.B Bate ran an optical and scientific instrument business during the first half of the 19th century in London. Circular with two wood wrapped handles. Markings and ...
Bronze
Sold
H 1.5 in W 9.13 in D 6.38 in
Copeland & Garret Ironstone Dish #2 Radiating Leaves Ptn No. 3876, circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Ironstone pottery deep serving dish made by Copeland & Garrett / Spode, hand enamelled in the radiating leaves pattern no 3876, produced in the first half of the ...
Ironstone
Sold
H 1.5 in Dm 10.38 in
Mason's Ironstone Soup Bowl or Plate Hand Painted Wood Pigeon Pattern circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive large soup bowl or plate made by the Mason's Patent Ironstone China, England in the early part of the 19th century, c...
Ironstone
Paul Storr Antique English Sterling Silver Entree Dish
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver entree dish made by Paul Storr. This impressive antique W...
Silver, Sterling Silver
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
Pair of English Painted & Giltwood Fire Buckets, Circa 1840
By Merryweather and Sons 1
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English painted and gilt wood fire buckets with riveted iron upper and lower bands, leather carrying handles, and original tin lined fitted interior. Signed by maker, Merrywe...
Iron
English Leather Hand Painted Fire Bucket. Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English leather fire bucket with hand painted Coat of Arms "God and my right" with original leather carrying handle and cloth lined interior....