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William IV Clocks

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
Oak Tall Case Clock with Brass and Nickel Dial
Located in Woodbury, CT
An English long case clock with swan neck pediment and column supports. The case has inlaid quarter columns, mahogany crossbanding arch door an...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Single Fusee Carriage Timepiece By Thomas Cole and James Cole, Retailed By Hunt
Located in Amersham, GB
A miniature carriage clock timepiece by Thomas Cole and his brother James Fergusson Cole. The eight day single fusee movement with english lever escapement. The case is decorated with the ‘Rose and Trellis’ pattern as seen on another of Coles clocks retailed by Edward Dent with the same handle and case construction ( JB Hawkins, “The Hawkins Pictorial Survey of Cole Clocks...
Category

1840s English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel, Ormolu

Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnston, Strand, London
Located in Amersham, GB
An extremely small single fusee bracket clock in a scalloped mahogany case. The eight day movement having a half deadbeat escapement with a T bar pendulum with hold fast, is beautifu...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

English Bracket Clock, 19th Century William lV Period
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century William lV period English bracket clock. William IV mahogany bracket clock, L. H. Samuel and Co., Liverpool, circa 1830. 8 inch painted dial ...
Category

19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique William IV Clocks

William IV Double Fusee Skeleton Clock by A. Stewart, London
Located in Norwich, GB
A William IV Skeleton clock of fine quality with two massive scroll plates sitting on rectangular, silvered plinths and standing on a mahogany base with block feet. Eight day doubl...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass

A Diminutive Bracket Clock by Adams of Lombard Street
Located in Amersham, GB
A rosewood and ormolu mounted bracket clock. With an eight day twin fusee movement, signed Adams of Lombard Street on the 5 inch silvered dial and movement back plate. Striking on a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

William IV Mahogany Bracket Clock with Original Wall Bracket
Located in Norwich, GB
William IV bracket clock Fine mahogany drum head bracket clock standing on a raised moulded plinth and resting on pad feet. Inset central fl...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Antique Porcelain Mantel Clock by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, London
By Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy
Located in Devon, GB
A fine early 19th century Coalport Porcelain cased timepiece by this famous maker. The elaborate pink ground porcelain case is set with exotic birds and flowers on scroll feet, wi...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Porcelain

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English Gothic Fusee Clock
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1910s French Vintage William IV Clocks

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Arts & Crafts Oak Cased Mantel Clock with Copper Dial
Located in Norwich, GB
Arts & Crafts oak cased mantel clock. Two columns with brass capitals support either side of the dial with brass inlay decoration to the front panel. Copper dial...
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1880s German Antique William IV Clocks

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Copper

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock Here is a very nice looking English style Cathedral form skeleton clock. It sits on a wooden base and pr...
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Late 20th Century William IV Clocks

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Vintage English Devon Harrison Grasshopper Double Pendulum Skeleton Sea Clock
Located in Danville, CA
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1970s British Vintage William IV Clocks

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24K English Style Grasshopper Fusee Double Pendulum Moon Dial Skeleton Sea Clock
Located in Danville, CA
24K English Style Grasshopper Fusee Double Pendulum Moon Dial Skeleton Sea Clock Here we are offering a fantastic grasshopper sea clock. It has an unique fusee movement. The clock i...
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Rare Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Twin Fusee Bracket Mantel Shelf Clock 16"
Located in Dayton, OH
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19th Century Antique William IV Clocks

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Enamel

Rare Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Twin Fusee Bracket Mantel Shelf Clock 16"
Rare Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Twin Fusee Bracket Mantel Shelf Clock 16"
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French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
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1790s French Antique William IV Clocks

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French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
$14,100
H 16.54 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 in
Sub Miniature Silver and Guilloche Enamel Carriage Clock by Tiffany's
Located in London, GB
A fine silver and blue guilloche enamel sub miniature carriage or travel clock by Tiffany's, who were the retailers. Lovely engine turned pattern, the white enamel dial with arabic n...
Category

1910s Vintage William IV Clocks

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Diminutive Art Deco "blue" Neon Spinner Clock.
By Neon Clock Sales Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Diminutive Art Deco "blue" Neon Spinner Clock. . You don't see this size very often.. Wonderful clock,, All original,, working and keeping perfect time.....
Category

1940s American Vintage William IV Clocks

Materials

Metal

Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Comtoise Morbier tall clock in a floral paint decorated Pine case, France - late 19th century. Rings on the hour and two minutes after the hour...
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1870s French Antique William IV Clocks

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Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock
Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock
$995
H 97 in W 18 in D 8 in
Previously Available Items
Single Fusee Skeleton Timepiece By Richard Webster
By Richard Webster
Located in Amersham, GB
This highly decorative skeleton timepiece signed Webster, London has a single fusee eight day movement regulated by a brass cylinder pendulum. With a very finely made deadbeat escapement and sixty tooth escape wheel. The silvered roman dial is intersected with a subsidiary seconds dial of unusual design. The plates are very finely pierced in a Gothicized Arabesque pattern of foliate scrollwork mounted on an ebonised base with its original glass dome finished in a brocade cord to protect the edge of the glass. Dating from circa 1830 this clock was made buy Richard Webster of the famed family of clockmakers that can be traced back to William Webster who was apprenticed to Thomas Tompion “The Father of English Clockmaking”. Richard Webster, the second in a series of Richards, who moved the family business from 26 Exchange Alley to 43 Cornhill around 1813. The company traded from 43 Cornhill and later 74 Cornhill. Richard Webster was chronometer maker to the Admiralty and to the East India Company. Under Richard Webster II the business seemingly went from strength to strength, at one point occupying two premises – at 74 Cornhill and at nearby 3 Birchin Lane. The Webster name was so well known by now that the surname alone would suffice when signing clock faces. This clock has been serviced and is ready to ship. Richard Webster is listed in Brian Loomes’ “Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World – 21st century edition” as working between 1810 and 1840 Simon C. Davidson, “Box Chronometers for India 1800-1936,” Antiquarian Horology, no.4, vol.35, December 2014 Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright...
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1830s English Antique William IV Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel

William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
William IV/Early Victorian Table Clock by Widenham, c. 1835-40 This wonderful table clock has a spring-driven eight-day twin chain-fusee movement with going and striking trains wi...
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Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Clocks

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Brass

William Iv clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique William IV clocks 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 clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used William IV clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Adams, Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, Daniel Ross, Exeter, and Johnson-Handley-Johnson Co.. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,770 and tops out at $23,572 while the average work can sell for $9,187.

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