William IV Decorative Boxes
WILLIAM IV STYLE
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.
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Style: William IV
Antique Georgian Amboyna Sewing Box
By William Dobson
Located in Northampton, GB
Veneered in Amboyna Wood
From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Amboyna Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular shape veneered in Amboyna with a circular mo...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Shell, Amboyna
Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass
From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Rare Georgian Engine Turned Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare Engine Turned Design
The Sewing Box of slight sarcophagus shape stood upon four turned ribbed feet. The Sewing Box tapers up to the convex raised lid and features scrolling fl...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Teapoy English William iv Rosewood Work Box, 19th Century, circa 1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique teapoy, an English, William IV, rosewood work box dating to the early 19th century, circa 1835.
Superb color in the polished rosew...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
Tunbridge Ware - An Early Writing Slope with Geometric Designs, c1835
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Tunbridge Ware - An Early Writing Slope with Geometric Designs, c1835
Additional Information:
Heading: Tunbridge Ware - An Early Writing Slope with Geometric Designs
Date : c1835
...
Category
19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
Rare William IV period sterling silver lockable box made in London in 1831
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1831 by Charles Reily & George Storer, this very handsome, Antique, William IV period, Sterling Silver Box, is plain in design, with reed borders, and an engr...
Category
1830s English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
William IV Sarcophagus Jewelry Box in Rosewood
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
K0123, stunning William IV rosewood work box / jewelry box, having quadrant beading ad mother of pearl inlaid to the front and to the hinged top which opens to reveal relined interio...
Category
1840s English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
Nathaniel Mills Antique Sterling Silver Vinaigrette
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver castle top vinaigrette depicting Newstead Abbey; an addition to our collectable box collection.
This exceptional antique William IV silver vinaigrette has a rectangular form with rounded corners.
The cover of this fine Nathaniel Mills vinaigrette is embellished with a scene of Newstead Abbey in high relief.
The sides and the underside of the box are ornamented with panels of engine turned decoration, accented with an impressive elongated applied thumb piece ornamented with leaf and bud designs.
The decoration to the underside incorporates a rectangular vacant cartouche.
Both the base and cover are embellished with applied moulded borders.
The hinged silver vinaigrette cover allows access to the original hallmarked hinged, pierced decorated silver gilt grille.
The vinaigrette retains the original gilding to the surface and interior.
A former Augustinian priory which is known as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. This Abbey, situated in Nottinghamshire, is now publicly owned by the local Council and houses a museum displaying a tribute to Byron memorabilia.
Condition
This antique Nathaniel Mills vinaigrette is a superior gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition.
The decoration is very sharp and very crisp.
The original gilding is in exceptional condition, in keeping with age.
There is some discoloration to the interior of the grille, in keeping with age.
Full hallmarks struck to the interior are all very clear; the nature of this piece dictates the location of the part hallmarks to the underside of the grille, resulting in the maker's mark and lion passant being partially visible.
Reflections in photographs may detract from this fine example of antique silverware.
Dimensions:
Length 4.2 cm / 1.7"
Width 2.7 cm / 1.1"
Height 0.9 cm / 0.4"
Weight
1 troy ounce / 30.2 g
Maker: Nathanial Mills...
Category
1830s British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
William IV Pocket Nutmeg Grater Made in Birmingham by Joseph Willmore, 1836
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine William IV Pocket Nutmeg Grater Made in Birmingham in 1836 by Joseph Willmore.
The Nutmeg Grater is of a large size, with reeded rounded sides. The hinged cover is engra...
Category
19th Century British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
19th Century English Mahogany and Brass Campaign Chest, Small Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century William IV period mahogany campaign box or small chest with brass mounts. An unusual size for this type of chest, quite handsome, and large enough to store a fair amount...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Burr Walnut Double Hinged Writing Slope with Brass Edges and Inlay
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Brass bound and inlaid burled walnut travel desk of large size and with double hinges. The first section lifts to a vertical position with document storage in the lid, the second sec...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
English William IV Stickware Tunbridge & Rosewood Stationery Box c.1835
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome piece of early Tunbridge Ware dating to around 1835, William IV in era.
Made from wood this small stationery box is decorated with intricate Tunbridge Stickware inlay.
The interior has been professionally re-lined in a handsome hand-marbled paper; the size of the interior would suit...
Category
1830s British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
English Burl Walnut & Figural Cherub Wedgewood Letter Box with Mounts, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English Burl walnut and figural cherub wedge-wood hinged letter box with compartmentalized fitted interior, locking mechanism with key, decorative circular rope motif, and original e...
Category
1850s English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Georgian Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
With a Fitted Sewing Box Interior
From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box. The Rosewood box of rectangular form extensively inla...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
A Sarcophagal Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box with Isometric Cube Design, c1835
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A Sarcophagal Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box with Isometric Cube Design, c1835
Additional Information:
Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Sarcophagal Se...
Category
19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
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Antique William IV Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver table snuff box; an addition to our collectable silverware collection.
This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular, rounded form.
The body of the box is embellished with impressive chased floral motifs accented with scrolling stem and foliate ornamentation, all on a matte background.
The decoration to the body incorporates a chased single leaf design to each corner, emanating from the rounded lower portion.
The upper rim of the body and swept sides of the cover are encompassed with a continuous band of engine turned decoration.
The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration.
This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover embellished with an engine turned bordered rectangular vacant cartouche to the upper plateau.
The cover is further embellished with an exceptional cast and applied domed, incurved border to the upper portion, matching the ornamentation to that of the body and continuing to an impressive floral thumbpiece to the anterior edge.
This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior.
Condition
This antique sterling silver snuff box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.
The chased and applied ornamentation is all very sharp and the engine turned decoration is all very crisp.
Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the box are all very clear.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silverware.
Dimensions
Length 9.8cm/3.9"
Width 6.5cm/2.6"
Height 4.3cm/1.7"
Weight
8.2 troy ounces/253g
Maker: Joseph Willmore...
Category
1830s British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Previously Available Items
Very Fine William IV Silver Gilt and Glass Soap Box by Thomas Dicks, 1836
By Thomas Dicks
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine William IV Silver Gilt and Glass Soap Box Made in London in 1836 by Thomas Dicks.
The Soap Box has a broad rectangular form with cut glass square cut base. The beautiful silver gilt pull off cover displays an outer rim of acorns and oak leaves. The central panel is engraved with engine turned designs and pierced with pluming feathery scrolls. The central gold "Button" cartouche is engraved with a set of contemporary mirror cipher initials. The box is quite excellent condition and is very well marked on the underside of the cover. Thomas Dicks specialised in silver mounted glass and travelling vanity sets...
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Located in Chapel Hill, NC
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Thomas Diller Glass Trinket Box with Gilt Sterling SIlver Cover, 1837
By Thomas Diller
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Thomas Diller Glass Trinket Box with Gilt Sterling SIlver Cover, 1837
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Circa 1830, Walnut Brass Bound Lap Desk with Custom Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
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William Iv decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique William IV decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used William IV decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $675 and tops out at $5,800 while the average work can sell for $1,650.