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 Inlaid Boulle Inkwell on Chase Feet, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English Boulle brass inlaid one-drawer inkwell with original fluted glass brass capped ink bottles, decorative floral carrying handle and resting on original chased ball feet, Mid-19...
William Bateman II Silver-Gilt Inkstand
Located in New Orleans, LA
The unbridled boldness of William IV-period silver design is on full display in this grand silver gilt inkstand by William Bateman II. Hailing from one of the most legendary silversm...
Silver
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...
Metal, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Champleve Enamelled Inkstand
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century gilt bronze and champlevé enameled inkstand with single well with hinge cover and pen rest. All raised up on bun feet. Dimensions H...
Bronze
$657
H 4.25 in W 16 in D 9.5 in
Antique French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exquisite Example of an Early Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope of fairly large proportions of Continental origin, possibly French. Circa first half of the Nineteenth Century prob...
Brass
$3,950 / set
H 8 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
1900s English Crystal and Silver Plated Sheffield Inkwell on Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1900s English crystal and silver plated Sheffield inkwell on handled tray. The tray measurement is: Depth: 10 inches. Height: 2.75 inches. Width: 14 inches. The measurement below...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Antique English Novelty Equestrian Inkwell, Horse, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
This is only the second time in many years of being in the antiques business that I have come across this wonderful figural equestrian inkwell. B...
Brass
French Bronze Louis Philippe Period Inkwell and Bell Set, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
The shaped and footed platform or stand with a central carrying handle and three fitted sections housing two inkwells and a sandwell all with removable lids, extending outward from the stand is a hook with a servant bell.
Henry Chawner Georgian Sterling Silver Ladies Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver and glass ladies inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique George III sterling silver desk Standish has a navette shaped form onto four bracket feet. This inkstand is encompassed with an applied thread decorated border, in addition to the contemporary engraved initials 'WW'. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand is ornamented with a paralleling applied reed decorated border. The internal wirework style frame of the stand is divided into three rounded supports. Each internal compartment retains the original rounded glass bottles with cut glass ornamentation in addition to impressive scalloped bases. The ink, pen/quill and pounce bottles retain the original plain silver cylindrical mounts fitted with push fit hallmarked covers. The rim of each circular cover is encircled with applied moulded borders and bears the corresponding functional pierced decorated holes. This large silver ink Standish was crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Henry Chawner. Such original ladies examples, in perfect condition, are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique inkstand...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Grand English Bulldog Novelty Inkwell with Glass Eyes, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent English Victorian inkwell made from solid English brass having been professionally polished to gleam. This grand figural dog inkwell was modelled in the form of an E...
Brass
$1,800 / set
H 6.75 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
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
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Footed Inkstand
By Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. Ltd.
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver, footed inkstand with original sterling silver-mounted, panel-cut crystal inkwell, London, 1912, Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. - ma...
Sterling Silver
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style
Located in London, GB
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style English, 19th Century Height 19cm, width 27cm, depth 12.5cm This wonderful inkstand is a fine piece of Victorian period design. ...
Brass
Antique English Sterling Silver Victorian Inkstand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English sterling silver Victorian inkstand.
Crystal, Sterling Silver
William IV silver inkstand
Located in London, GB
Antique silver inkstand of impressive proportions, made at the end of King William IV's reign. The inkstand has finely detailed scroll and leaf pattern cast mounts and rets on four s...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand with Glass Inkwells 1837 William IV
By Robinson, Edkins, & Aston
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Solid Silver rectangular Inkstand with an ornate shell, leaf and scroll border and standing on four scroll and shell feet. The Inkstand has a silver and cut glass Inkwell...
Sterling Silver
William IV Anglo Indian Solid Ebony Pen Tray
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Fine William IV Anglo-Indian solid ebony pen tray, of rectangular stepped form with three inkwells and a single frieze drawer, all surmounted by a fob watch holder flanked by turne...
Ebony
William IV Bronze and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A William IV period bronze and ormolu Pentray, having Gothic arch moulded inkwells and central waferbox with 'bunch of grapes' decoration. The Pentray, with bold acanthus and grapevi...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Willliam IV Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Boulle Inkstand
Located in London, GB
This is a lovely antique French mother-of-pearl marquetry and red Boulle encrier, or inkstand, circa 1830 in date. The encrier comprises two glass inkwells and a lidded stamp box wi...
Mother-of-Pearl