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William IV Desk Accessories

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
Silver Gilt Inkstand by William Bateman II
By William Bateman II
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...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Silver Gilt Inkstand by William Bateman II
Silver Gilt Inkstand by William Bateman II

Silver Gilt Inkstand by William Bateman II

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...
Category

1840s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

English Inlaid Boulle Inkwell on Chase Feet, Circa 1840
English Inlaid Boulle Inkwell on Chase Feet, Circa 1840

English Inlaid Boulle Inkwell on Chase Feet, Circa 1840

19th Century English Desk Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This English early 19th-century desk box exudes a refined charm with its dark wood construction and functional design, including a thin wide drawer and a set of upper compartments ac...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Desk Box
19th Century English Desk Box

19th Century English Desk Box

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Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s campaign writing slope dates back to the Napoleonic wars. Well constructed out of solid mahogany with screwed down mount re-enforcements, brass banding, and inset carrying handles at each end, this outstanding travel desk box was designed to withstand the harsh maritime life at sea. The exterior of this Victorian travel box shows an attractive mahogany grain, beautiful colour, and a lovely pleasing patina. There are a couple of old indented scars to the lid along with the usual minor surface scratching, but these imperfections confer it an absolutely unique charme. The box has a tri-fold operation, opening to reveal a secondary smaller writing surface for quick use, then opening again to reveal the main slope fitted with a green felt writing surface which is in reasonable condition and compliments the original interior. When it is completely opened you have two storage compartments underneath. The original lock works smoothly with the original key. The original interior is nicely fitted out with a dark green leather drop-down section in the lid which features four memoire pockets. This section can additionally be lowered to reveal a document wallet...
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H 6.69 in W 17.91 in D 10.63 in
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Grand English Bulldog Novelty Inkwell with Glass Eyes, circa 1880
Grand English Bulldog Novelty Inkwell with Glass Eyes, circa 1880

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Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840

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Previously Available Items
William IV silver inkstand
By William Ker Reid
Located in London, GB
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William IV silver inkstand
William IV silver inkstand

William IV silver inkstand

H 8.86 in W 16.15 in D 12.41 in
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Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual and rare antique William IV English sterling silver locking travelling compass; an addition to our diverse silver collection This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver travelling compass has a plain circular form. The surface of this impressive and unusual antique compass is plain and unembellished. The compass is embellished cardinal and intermediate marks forming a sixteen point compass rose, encircled with a chapter ring of degree marks around the outer edge; the piece bears an enamel dial as you would expect from a watch of this period. The face of this fully functional compass is visible through a circular glass 'window'. This antique silver compass...
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Sterling Silver

Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass

Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass

H 2.3 in Dm 1.6 in
A William IV rosewood desk tidy attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV rosewood desk tidy attributed to Gillows, of rectangular form with everted, bracket sides carved with S-scrolls and pointed trefoil corners, rai...
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1830s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

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Rosewood

A William IV rosewood desk tidy attributed to Gillows
A William IV rosewood desk tidy attributed to Gillows

A William IV rosewood desk tidy attributed to Gillows

H 2 in W 12 in D 9 in
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...
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19th Century English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

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Sterling Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand with Glass Inkwells 1837 William IV
Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand with Glass Inkwells 1837 William IV

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand with Glass Inkwells 1837 William IV

H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
William IV Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
By William Eaton
Located in New York, NY
William IV, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, London, year hallmarked for 1833, William Eaton - maker. Sterling silver blade is etched with flowers...
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1830s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

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Sterling Silver, Enamel

William IV Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
William IV Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife

William IV Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife

H 0.5 in W 8 in D 1.25 in
19th Century William the IV Mahogany Connoisseur Gallery Magnifying Lens
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A mahogany gallery lens, circa 1835 in age, English in origin The wooden frame and handle are in very good condition, the lens has some wear/scuffs to the center These magnify...
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Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Optical Glass, Mahogany

19th Century William the IV Mahogany Connoisseur Gallery Magnifying Lens
19th Century William the IV Mahogany Connoisseur Gallery Magnifying Lens

19th Century William the IV Mahogany Connoisseur Gallery Magnifying Lens

H 34 in Dm 17 in
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...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Ebony

William IV Anglo Indian Solid Ebony Pen Tray
William IV Anglo Indian Solid Ebony Pen Tray

William IV Anglo Indian Solid Ebony Pen Tray

H 15.5 in W 17 in D 13 in
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...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

William IV Bronze and Ormolu Inkwell
William IV Bronze and Ormolu Inkwell

William IV Bronze and Ormolu Inkwell

H 5 in W 11 in D 7 in
Victorian Coromandel Wood and Brass Book Slide
By George Bentjemann
Located in New York, NY
The hinged arched ends mounted with oval ceramic plaques featuring Classical maidens set within in brass surrounds; Bearing brass makers plaque stamped "Betjemann's patent 462" and another "SELF CLOSING BOOK SLIDE...
Category

1840s Great Britain (UK) Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Victorian Coromandel Wood and Brass Book Slide
Victorian Coromandel Wood and Brass Book Slide

Victorian Coromandel Wood and Brass Book Slide

H 8.5 in W 16 in D 7 in
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...
Category

1830s British Antique William IV Desk Accessories

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

19th Century Willliam IV Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Boulle Inkstand
19th Century Willliam IV Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Boulle Inkstand

19th Century Willliam IV Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Boulle Inkstand

H 3.15 in W 12.21 in D 9.45 in

William Iv desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique William IV desk accessories 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 desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used William IV desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include and William Bateman II. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,295 and tops out at $34,500 while the average work can sell for $1,675.

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