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.
Spode Porcelain Raspberry Ground Potpourri Basket and Cover, Pattern 3993
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Porcelain Raspberry Ground Potpourri Basket and Cover, Pattern 3993 Circa 1825 This Spode porcelain potpourri basket and cover, a form recorded in the factory’s shape book as ...
Porcelain
$625Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$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
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
$390
H 7.8 in Dm 7.5 in
Vintage Native American Knitting Basket with Cover and Handles, Adirondack Regio
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage knitting basket with lid and braided strap handle is strikingly similar to the one in Ethnographic department collection of the Peabody...
Wicker, Rattan
$3,324 / 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
$2,175
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, Sterling Silver, Silver
French Porcelain Compote Basket
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Porcelain
$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
Hand Painted Flower Mexican Bowl Large
Located in Dallas, TX
This 17-in. diameter bowl was hand painted in Mexico. The artistic brush strokes are carefully laid out to display color and simplistic brilliance.
Wood, Paint
Chinese Export Rose Medallion Punch Bowl
Located in Solebury, PA
A large Chinese export punch bowl decorated in the rose medallion pattern, featuring vivid cobalt blue borders, delicate pink rose motifs and subtle gilt highlights. Rose Medallion is a popular, brightly colored Chinese export porcelain pattern...
Porcelain
$652
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
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
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....