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.
Pair Of 19th century Ormolu Swan Candlesticks After William Bateman II
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A pair of 19th century English ormolu and parcel silvered swan candlesticks after an 1834 design by William Bateman II for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Each leafy acanthus-form nozzl...
Bronze
Torchère Pedestal Stand of Turned Mahogany from England (H 57)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English torchère (torchière) or column pedestal stand of mahogany - in the William IV style - featuring a moulded round top for candles or plants, turned column support, and r...
Wood, Mahogany
Pair of English 19th Century Cast Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A good pair of candelabra of the William IV period Constructed in gold leaf gilt bronze; rising from square bases, with scrolled plinths supporting octagonal sided imbricated cast columns...
Bronze
$1,959 / set
A Pair Of Gilt Lacquer Dolphin Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A pair of gilt lacquer dolphin form candlesticks hung with icicles drops on rectangularly black marble bases.
Marble, Brass
Pair of English Barley Twist Candlesticks with Circular Faceted Bases, C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English barley twist single candlesticks with flanking bobeches and circular faceted reeded bases, Mid 19th century.
Brass
$3,513 / set
Pair of William IV Bronze Lion Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A unusual pair of bronze lion candlesticks on black marble base hung with triangular icicles.
Marble, Bronze
Solid Brass Open Barley Twist Candlesticks with Round Bases- 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of late Victorian English 12" high open brass barley twist candlesticks with brass bases. This open style of barley twist is preferable to the solid cast style. Polished by h...
Brass
Pair, Antique Kashmiri Barley Twist Polychrome Decorated Candlesticks 16"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall and decorative pair of Kashmiri papier-mâché candlesticks, each rising 16 inches on a dished circular foot and swelling baluster, the stems boldly carved and laminated in the ...
Wood, Paint, Paper
$1,650 / set
H 21 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Solid Brass 21” Barley Twist Candlesticks with Square Bases, England, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English solid brass barley twist candlesticks are very desirable when they reach 21" in height. What makes them more collectable is the square base (most are round) with the double beaded border (very unusual). They have large circular bobeches to collect any dripping wax...
Brass
$1,259
H 6 in W 2 in D 3.5 in
19th century ormolu pair of bronze cherubs or putti candlestick holders.
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century ormolu pair of bronze cherubs or putti candlestick holders. The putti are depicted blowing shell horns seated atop a base meant to resemble a fountain.
Bronze
$3,206Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 5.63 in
Pair of Louis XVI gilt bronze - ormolu candlesticks - 19th century - 11" 3/4
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French pair of candlesticks, beautiful finely chiseled ormolu (solid bronze gilt with fine gold) Louis XVI style pattern. Our model is richly ornamented with pearls, gadroons...
Bronze, Ormolu
$774Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Mahogany Table/Plant Stand from the 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Mahogany Table/Plant Stand from the 20th Century A round mahogany plant stand, dating back to the 1st half of the 20th century. The furniture is in particularly good condition, refr...
Mahogany
$16,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
$5,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.21 in Dm 5.71 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Trajan's Column Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century Empire Trajan's column ormolu candlesticks in the manner of P.-P. Thomire (1751-1843): Pair of large Empire ormolu candlesticks, the stem ressembling th...
Ormolu
$24,325
H 18.12 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
A Pair of Charles X Gilt-Bronze Reversible Cassolettes / Candlesticks
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Charles X Gilt-Bronze Reversible Cassolettes / Candlesticks Each with pierced dome lid surmounted by a butterfly finial. The lids reversible, the undersides fitted with c...
Bronze
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze Sphinx Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A dramatic and sculptural pair of large-scale patinated bronze sphinx candlesticks produced by Maitland-Smith in the 1980s. These striking objects ...
Bronze
Pair of bronze Art Deco candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of bronze Art Deco candlesticks, Continental Europe, circa 1925. With square light brown Bakelite bases.
Bronze
Pair rare Antique William IV Candelabra 1831 Robert Peel Prime Minister
By John Houle
Located in London, GB
A pair of magnificent Antique William IV 4 light Candelabra made in the George II Rococo Style. These Candelabra have removable Branches and are able to be converted into impressive Candlesticks. These Candle Holders are of notably large size and heavy weight. These Candelabra are embellished with ornate flower and foliate patterns The inscription on the base reads 'Formerly the property of Sir Robert Peel Bart. Prime Minister of England'. The Bases are also engraved with two familial Crests and a Baron's Coronet. Made in London in 1831 by John Houle. (One Nozzle Later by James Parkes, London, 1902) Appro. Weight - 9208g / 296.07oz Approx. Height - 56.8cm Approx. Width of Branches - 46.5cm Approx. Height of Candlesticks - 36.5cm Each Candelabra has Full English Hallmarks. This Pair of Antique Silver...
Sterling Silver
Tall Pair of Early 19th Century Mahogany & Brass Scottish Candlesticks
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Tall Pair of Fine Quality 19th-Century Scottish Mahogany and Brass Candlesticks (Circa 1830) This exquisite pair of tall 19th-century Scottish mahogany and brass candlesticks show...
Brass
Pair of Antique English Mirror Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of 19th Century English wall sconces featuring faux tortoise lacquer panels, a mahogany frame with gilt plaster trim around a rectangular mirror and a brass candle hold...
Brass
A Pair Of Bronzed Dolphin Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A pair of bronzed dolphin candlesticks hung with icicles drops on black marble rectangular bases
Bronze
Sold
H 5.32 in W 4.93 in D 3.75 in
William IV Period Antique Sterling Silver & Shell Chamberstick, London, 1831
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1831, this striking, William IV, Antique Sterling Silver Chamberstick, features a shell body, with silver mounts detailed with chased grape and vine decoratio...
Sterling Silver
Pair of William IV Turned Oak Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Carved of handsomely figured oak stained a rich deep brown; with spiral-fluted supports on turned round bases.
Oak
Sold
H 53.35 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in
Mid-20th Century Plant Stand, William IV Revival Torchère in Dark Mahogany
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a mid-20th century plant stand, a William IV revival torchère in dark mahogany. Well executed in a quality dark mahogany Good color with a lustrous wax polished finish ...
Mahogany
Pair of Sterling Silver William IV Candlesticks Dated 1835
By John Watson
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver candlesticks made during the reign of King William IV of England, made in Sheffield, England, 1835, John Watson - maker. Weighted; removable bobeches. Measure...
Sterling Silver
Pair of 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Cherub and Ram Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th century bronze and ormolu candlesticks, having grape vine scrolls supporting floral nozzles, raised on stepped plinth bases mounted with seated cherubs and rams.
Bronze, Ormolu
Exceptional Quality Pair of William IV Cut-Glass Lustres
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An exceptional pair of lustres with scalloped feet and slice cut bodies hung with the finest quality prismatic drops and unusual notch cut spangles.
Cut Glass
Pair of William IV Gilt and Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A pair of gilt and bronze tree candlesticks with squirrels on the branches hung with icicle drops.
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Pair of Gilt Carved English Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century English gilt carved pedestals. Finely carved original gilding.