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 c. 1835 Coromandel Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 English coromandel jewelry box. "Secret" release tray in base. Bramah type lock. Brass engraving shield, no monogram. Fine quality interior brass engraved mounts and hardw...
Wood
William IV Goncalo Alves Jewelry Box, Antique Inlays, England, 1840
Located in High Peak, GB
P0123 A stunning William IV rosewood work and jewellery box, dating to circa 1840. This exceptional piece features elegant quadrant beading alongside fine decorative inlays on both t...
Wood
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...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Bulldog Head Wooden Box, England, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Antique bulldog head wooden box, England, 1900.
Leather, Glass, Wood
Gem of a Bronze Antique Jewelry Box
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful heavy small jewelry box having ornate cast bronze surface and lined in red velvet.
Bronze
$1,795Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.6 in W 12 in D 9 in
Antique English Coromandel Fitted Traveling Vanity Dressing Box, circa 1870
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique 19th century English coromandel and rosewood fitted travel vanity or dressing box, circa 1870. This fine box contains the original contents including silverplate lidded cut glass jars, sewing tools...
Silver Plate
Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese wooden jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque centrally placed on the lid, inside a pink/fuchsia lining with gold floral decoration, second half of the 20th ce...
Jade, Brass
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 ...
Silver
$2,803Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 12.01 in D 9.26 in
Antique Travelling Vanity Case, English, Coromandel, Jewellery Box, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travelling vanity case. An English, coromandel jewellery box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Striking...
Glass, Wood
English Blue and White Porcelain Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English predominantly blue and white 'botanical' decorated round box, circa late-20th century, England. Box can hold jewelry other items. Beautiful floral and leaf design...
Porcelain
Anglo Indian Coromandel and Silver Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Mounted with Silver From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of...
Silver
English Victorian Coromandel Fully Fitted Necessaire Box by Lund
By Thomas Lund
Located in Northampton, GB
A Victorian coromandel necessaire box, attributed to Lund of London and dating to the late nineteenth century, circa 1880. The box is of rectangular form and veneered throughout in richly figured coromandel, with a vacant brass cartouche to the lid and a shield shaped escutcheon to the front. Opening the box reveals a fitted green silk lined interior containing an extensive sewing and writing assemblage. The contents comprise a pair of scissors, penknife, thimble, sterling silver propelling pencil...
Sterling Silver
Mid 19th Century Coromandel Wood Work Box, England, Circa 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive Mid 19th Century Coromandel Wood Rectangular Work Box, The Well Figured Exterior With Original Brass Escutcheon And Hinged Lid Enclosing Lovely Fitted Interior, The...
Other
1840s European Document Box
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1840s wood European document box with iron ornamentation.
Wood
Antique Georgian English Rosewood Jewellery Box by Edwards
By David Edwards
Located in Northampton, GB
Rosewood Circa 1830 From our Jewellery Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Antique Rosewood Jewellery Box by Edwards, makers...
Brass
Georgian Brass Bound Mahogany Jewelry Watch Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Racing Green Cushioned Velvet Lining The Box of rectangular form crafted from Mahogany features triple brass bounding around the perimeter of the box with further brass strapping fr...
Wood
Georgian Scottish Mahogany Jewellery Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Brass Bound Rosewood Frame From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Scottish Mahogany Jewellery Box. The Jewellery Box of rectangular form crafted from features multiple brass mounts to the corners with two parallel brass straps from the front to the back. The top centre of the Jewellery Box features a stylised vacant brass initial plaque. The interior of the box contains its original red Georgian lining with drop down documents storage within the inside of the lid hiding the original makers label for J Johnston...
Brass
William IV Classical Walnut Work Box
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A William IV classical work box in walnut with mother-of-pearl inlay detail. Of classical form in the shape of a Grecian temple, the workbox comes from the co...
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Rosewood Jewellery Box with Floral Stiching
Located in Northampton, GB
Beautiful Rosewood Jewellery Box in the shape of a Dome A beautiful Birdseye Maple floral inlay covers the top and front of this beautifully crafted Rosewood Jewellery Box. Jew...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
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...
Mahogany
English William IV Mahogany Miniature Table Cabinet Fitted with Drawers
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This small William IV mahogany miniature table cabinet dates to around 1840 and features a polished top above two doors opening up to an interi...
Brass
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H 7 in W 12 in D 5 in
English Regency Tortoiseshell and Mother-of-Pearl Hinged Glove Box, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency hinged tortoiseshell and pie shaped mother-of-pearl glove box, with brass oval inlays, a lined baize interior, and resting on raised brass ball feet, Mid-19th century.
Brass
Sold
H 5.25 in W 12 in D 9 in
Handsome English William IV Mahogany Dressing Box with Tumbling Block Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome and warmly-patinated English William IV mahogany dressing box with tumbling block inlay; perfect for jewelry or men's accessories this rectangular box with intricate 'tumb...