Skip to main content

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.

12
to
8
4
12
12
12
861
529
489
474
170
151
133
108
90
87
79
75
72
60
46
30
23
19
11
1
Height
to
Width
to
11
5
3
2
2
12
12
9
Style: William IV
Oak Six Bottle Grog Box Early to Mid 20th Centuryd
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Oak Six Bottle Grog Box Early to Mid 20th Century Date : The oak box is early 20th century William IV revival. The decanters are interwar Period : 1900-1940 Origin : The bo...
Category

20th Century English William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Georgian Rare Pair of Inlaid Rosewood Sewing Boxes
Located in Northampton, GB
Rosewood and Mother of Pearl From our Sewing Box collection, we are thrilled to offer this pair of Georgian Rosewood Sewing Boxes. The Sewing Boxes of rectangular shape veneered in ...
Category

Early 19th Century British 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

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

English William IV Mahogany Tambour Writing Box with Drawer Serpentine Shaped
Located in Wells, ME
English William IV mahogany tambour writing box with drawer.  The tambour top is serpentine in shape, rolls back and reveals a place for writing utensils and ink (a removable open narrow box...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

English Burl Walnut & Figural Cherub Wedgewood Letter Box with Mounts, C. 1850
Located in Hollywood, 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

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

William IV Rosewood and Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy, English, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
William IV rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with finely inlaid mother-of-pearl medallions with stylized acanthus leaves, the escutcheon plate with further similar decoration, ...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

William IV Miniature Sideboard-Form Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy, English, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A rare William IV tea caddy in the form of a perfectly scaled model-miniature double pedestal sideboard with Integral Wine Cellaret, the pedestals with molded caddy tops above raised...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

Related Items
Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Suede, Mahogany

Edwardian Diminutive Post Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The oak box with brass Royal Georgian plaque on top, pick up times on the front. The brass lock and key affixed to the door.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality Chinese export table top vanity box.  Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Early 20th Century Boxwood Italian Pharmacy Bottles
Located in Roma, IT
A pair of early 20th century boxwood containers (21 cm) that allowed the discreet storage of medicines destined to treatments of pathologies to be kept hidden. A unique set that w...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Boxwood

17th Century English Leather Covered Knife Box Converted To a Letter Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
17th century leather knife box converted to a letter box with original brass hardware, sitting on brass ball feet. Fitted interior lined with 18th century silk fabric. In very good...
Category

17th Century European Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Herend Porcelain Figural Asparagus Covered Box Model No. 6070/C
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine figural porcelain covered box. By Herend. In the form of a bundle of asparagus tied together with a pink ribbon. Model No. 6070/C. Simply a wonderful piece of Here...
Category

20th Century Hungarian William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Heart-Shaped Zsolnay Lidded Box in Cream-Colored Porcelain with Flowers
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heart-shaped Zsolnay lidded box in cream-colored porcelain with hand-painted flowers, butterflies and gold decoration. Late 20th century. Measures: 12 x 6.5 cm. In excellent cond...
Category

Late 20th Century Hungarian William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina! When tea first arrived in Europe in t...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Gilt Bronze Mounted Sevres Jewel Box and Cover with Multi-Panel Scenes
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 19th century gilt bronze mounted sevres jewel box and cover with multi-panel scenes. Of cartouche shape, the top painted with two maidens reclining in a garden attended b...
Category

1880s French Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Georgian Military Campaign Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A stunning georgian military campaign rosewood & brass bound hand crafted writing slope. With Red Tooled Leather Interior, Befit with the original glass inkwells. Made by Esteemed Maker with Royal Warrant "Tompson" circa 1830s A rare Thompson lock with attractive stamped escutcheon with coat of arms. The top and front have been decorated with brass inlay and brass reinforcing edges and corners. Inside there are secret drawers concealed beneath the writing surface. The glass ink bottles are original to the item with red leather tooled interior. This writing slope comes with original "Tompson" lock. Will sent with a vintage writing pen...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand decorated, Art Nouveau enameled glass trinket, or jewelry box. This is a gorgeous piece by Legras, makes a lovely gift to oneself or others. Measures: 4 1/8" Diameter x 3 1/4" Height Legras Art Glass...
Category

20th Century French William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Alabaster

19th Century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous French 19th century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box probably by Edme Samson. Marked on the base with “Made in France” and unmistakably in the style and manner of Samson. The lid features hand painted floral bouquets on an ivory porcelain background with gold edging, surrounded by a sky blue lid with gold web or crackling effect.. The lid is hinged and the lid and base are edged in floral gilt metal mounts with Fleur De Lis clasp. It sits on 4 gilt metal or ormolu feet. The sides are likewise hand decorated. This wonderful antique hand painted box is just bursting with History. Inspired by Edme Samson of Samson & Co., Paris. we believe (based upon the markings and natural aging) that it was made between 1880– 1890 in France and was meant to resemble an antique of a much earlier period. It is very similar to Sevres pieces with it’s color, decoration and design. Samson specialized in reproducing antiques from the 1600 and 1700s. One of his most interesting works was his Heraldic or Armorial pieces. With this medium sized box, he was not only copying the larger porcelain caskets or coffin boxes...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Previously Available Items
19th Century English Carved & Polished Cow Horn William IV Portrait Patch Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English Carved & Polished Cow Horn William IV Portrait Patch Box England Early to Mid 19th Century We are pleased to offer this exceptional 19th Century English Carved...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Horn

Circa 1830 English Stag & Naturalistic Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
English circa 1830 stag & naturalistic inlaid box. The front & top extensively inlaid, featuring a pair of stags among foliage. Sarcophagus form. Once fitted as a tea caddy. Satinwoo...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Satinwood

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 Additional information: Date : Hallmarked between the 20th of May and the 20th of June in 1837. The makers mark...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Circa 1830, Walnut Brass Bound Lap Desk with Custom Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 George IV-William IV walnut brass bound & strapped lap desk, now on custom made stand as a side table. Shaped brass escutcheon, handles & engraving plate (never engraved) ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large William IV Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother-of-Pearl Inlays, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
An unusually large William IV rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with finely inlaid mother-of-pearl medallions with stylized flowers acanthus leaves, the escutcheon plate with further similar decoration, the interior with both original rosewood compartments, with lion mask ring pulls to either side, on original solid rosewood bun-form feet, with paper label to reverse, 'Buckley, The Homestead...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

English William IV Rosewood Writing Box with Extensive Brass Inlay Now on Stand
Located in Wells, ME
English William IV rosewood writing box with extensive intricate brass inlay, now on bespoke stand with tapered legs and arched cross stretcher. This elegant writing box friction fits into the upper lip of the stand that we made here at The Farm Antiques...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

William IV Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy with Rosewood and Ebony, English, ca. 1830
Located in Banner Elk, NC
William IV flame mahogany tea caddy with rosewood cross-banding and ebony stringing, with a shaped inlaid bone escutcheon, and wooden ring handles to either side, the fitted interior...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood

William IV Rosewood and Satinwood-Banded Tea, English, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
William IV rosewood and satinwood-banded tea caddy, English, ca. 1835, of sarcophagus shape, with lion mask ring pulls to either side, the fitted interior with two lidded tea compart...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

English 19th Century Partridgewood Tea Caddy with Sailing Ship Inlay
Located in Wells, ME
English Early 19th century partridgewood single tea caddy with three masted, square rigged ship inlaid to the lid. The ship is inlaid in shaded boxwood within a partridgewood diamond...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Boxwood, Rosewood, Satinwood

William IV Sewing Box of Mahogany
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century English William IV sewing box of a sarcophagus form with a domed lid and raised on front bun feet. The hinged top opens to reveal bright magenta accents on its interior. The removable tray is fitted with lidded and open compartments and a velvet pin cushion...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

William IV Sewing Box of Mahogany
William IV Sewing Box of Mahogany
H 5.25 in W 12.75 in D 8.63 in
Rosewood Stationery Box with Fine Inlaid Mother of Pearl Flowers, circa 1840
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Antique rosewood stationery box with fine inlaid mother of pearl flowers, the central inset plaque inscribed, 'Annie,' English, circa 1840.            
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Superb William iv Brass Inlaid Kingwood Writing Box by Edwards
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A superb William IV brass-inlaid kingwood writing box by Edwards, of typical rectangular form opening at an angle to reveal a pen tray flanked by covered and open compartments above ...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All