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 Marble Bust of Parliament Gentleman on Plinth, John Graham Lough C. 1855
By John Graham Lough
Located in Charleston, SC
English Marble bust of Parliament gentleman displayed on a circular plinth. Signed by maker John Graham Lough, London Mid 19th Century. Lough sculp...
Statuary Marble
Antique Flamed Hardwood Pedestal from Princess Diana's Family Home Spencer House
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal house antiques. Royal house antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime antique William IV circa 1830 Flamed Mahogany Pedestal stand with small coat rail from Princess Diana Spencer’s London family home Spencer House...
Hardwood
Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon
By Nathaniel Palmer
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and impressive pair of relief portrait busts in copper depicting portrait busts of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) on the left, and Napoleon Bona...
Copper
Finely Carved Antique Persian Hardwood Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Finely carved Persian hinged box. Decorated with fantasy animals. Circa 1900. Carved hardwood.
Hardwood
$1,100 / set
H 9.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office shelf with this cheerful pair of antique terracotta children busts. Crafted in Paris, France circa 1880, each subject features a child face sculpture standing on a black painted socle base. Each figure has wonderful facial expressions and nice details. Both artworks are signed on the back E. Guillemin with marks reading "Quai Jemmapes 6". The busts are in excellent condition with the original terracotta patinated finish. Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (1841-1907) was a French sculptor of the Belle Époque. He worked mainly in bronze and also made artwork subjects in terracotta. He studied under his father, the painter Auguste Guillemin, and under Jean-Jules Salmson. He showed work at the Salon of Paris from 1870-1899, and in 1897 received an honorable mention there. His sculptures incorporated themes inspired by the French revolution, Mediterranean mythology, and orientalist aesthetics. His oeuvre is reminiscent of other mid-18th century European bronze sculptors, including Jef Lambeaux, Marcel...
Terracotta
Italian Glazed Ceramic Roman Bust/Sculpture, 1940's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-649 ceramic Roman Bust market Italy.
Ceramic
19th Century Portrait Bust of William Shakespeare
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century portrait bust of William Shakespeare, Vividly painted, a striking portrait of the English playwright, poet, and actor. Raised on a pedestal base with a neoclassical urn....
Pottery
$1,175
H 8 in W 11 in D 5 in
Sterrit-Gittings Kelsey Bronze Tennis Player on Marble Base Royal Copenhagen
Located in Westport, CT
Sterrit-Gittings Kelsey Bronze Tennis woman, marble base Royal Copenhagen 152/2500 signed and dated 1976.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Classical Stone Bust
Located in NYC, NY
A good 19th century carved stone bust. The handsome figure in Greco-Roman attire with toga draped across the chest and a laurel wreath around his head. ...
Stone
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.
Gesso
$221 / item
H 9.45 in W 4.14 in D 4.14 in
Small Black Horse Head Bust Statue Made with Compressed Marble Powder
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The special work of the horse head creates an elegant and dignified aura from compressed marble, while at the same time re-emphasizing the elegance of the horse, one of the most aesthetic animals in the ancient world and our current life. The most important sculptures in world history...
Statuary Marble
18th or 19th Century White Marble Bust of a Young Woman
Located in Berlin, DE
The marble bust facing frontal with her eyes looking to her right. The hair fastened in a skillfull knot behind, the drapery covers her shoulders and breasts, with another section un...
Carrara Marble
$854Sale Price|33% Off
H 14.5 in W 9 in D 10 in
Cast Marble Roman Child Bust Sculpture, Antique, 1920, Decorative Art
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Cast marble bust of a Roman child set on a base size: 3.50 H x 5.25 W x 6 D.base size
Cast Stone
Hardwood Wagon Wheel from Mexico, circa Early 1800's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Hardwood wagon wheel from the state of Puebla, Mexico, circa early 19th century. The wagon wheel is from the colonial era. Most colonial wheels contain ir...
Hardwood
Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts
Located in Tarzana, CA
A pair of superb quality 19th century gilt and patinated bronze orientalist busts. Each young lady dressed in traditional middle eastern attire...
Bronze