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 Brass Figural Knight & Bear Shield Door Stop with Step Back Base, C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass figural knight and decorative bear shield door stop with step back rectangular base, Mid 19th Century. Knighted Guy Earle of Warwick.
Brass, Lead
English Figural Lead Fountain with a Young Man Blowing on a Conch Shell, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English figural lead fountain with a young man blowing a conch shell while standing on a rocky plinth. Fountain is in working condition, Mid-19th century.
Copper, Lead
Gaudí Batlló 2 Door Knob by Antoni Gaudí
Located in Geneve, CH
Gaudí Batlló 2 Door Knob by Antoni Gaudí Dimensions: D8 x H4 cm Materials: Brass Before reissuing Gaudí’s furniture, BD, together with the archit...
Brass
$14,850
H 60.63 in W 30.5 in D 28.5 in
Whimsical English 19th-20th Century White Marble Figural Outdoor Dog Fountain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Whimsical English 19th-20th century white marble figural fountain with dogs fountain. The Baroque Revival six-sided tripod marble base surmounted with three upright seated Yorkshire Terriers resting on a leaf and acanthus center stem, topped with a semi-circular scalloped carved basin...
Marble
Wonderful Modernist Kenetic Motion Copper Fountain / Water Feature, Hand Made
Located in Buffalo, NY
Ingenious copper fountain / water feature, solid copper construction, Modernist design Artisan made, hand executed. Sculpture in motion, great for garden, or indoor space.
Copper
Copper Mermaid Fountain by Glen Mayo
By Glen Mayo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical fountain sculpture, of copper, by metal artist Glen Mayo; its mermaid focal point holding a leaf which cascades water down the fountain, among turtles, angel fish, other se...
Copper
19th Century Moroccan Rustic Door On Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Moroccan smaller-sized carved wood door from the late 19th century on custom stand. This antique door from Morocco has a wonderfully rustic appearance, with hand-carved accents and...
Metal
Set of 13 Vintage English Brass Beehive Door Knobs
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare set of 13 vintage English brass beehive door knobs, beautifully crafted and sourced from an English country house. Featuring classic beehive detailing and a warm gold-coloure...
Metal, Brass
$2,750
H 12.75 in W 15.5 in D 22.5 in
American Giant Stone Frog with Patina, Originally Used as a Fountain
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American giant stone frog from the 20th century, with great patina. Made in the USA in 1987, this giant stone stone frog used to be a fountain (notice the remnants of a pipe below...
Stone
Early 20th Century Lead Putti Fountain, Circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming early 20th century lead garden fountain featuring a delightful putti figure supporting a scalloped basin. Dating to around 1920, this piece captures the romantic appeal of...
Iron
brass Harvest Basket door stop
Located in London, GB
A 19th century brass harvest basket door porter. The handle formed of intertwined wheat and the base in the form of a wicker basket containing cherries and flowers. Iron weight bas...
Brass
$4,676
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Red Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo De Poli (1905–1996) in the style of Gio Ponti. Made of red enameled copper and brass, circa 1960. Ev...
Copper
Ukiyo Saucer, Concrete Fountain/Fishpond by OPIARY (D50")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This modern, minimalist fountain is a tasteful way to incorporate aquatic life into any indoor or outdoor space. The Ukiyo Saucer...
Cement
Ukiyo Saucer, Concrete Fountain/Fishpond by OPIARY (D62")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This modern, minimalist fountain is a tasteful way to incorporate aquatic life into any indoor or outdoor space. The Ukiyo watersaucer can house multiple floating islands...
Cement
Sold
H 30.75 in W 10.5 in D 14 in
English Lead Figural Statue of Pan Playing Flanking Flutes on Square Base C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead figural statue of pan playing flanking flutes standing on a squared rectangular base, Mid-19th century. Base measures 6.75 wide / 8 deep.
Lead
Sold
H 7.25 in W 4.75 in D 2.75 in
Early Staffordshire Bocage Figure Group of Gardener and Companion, circa 1825
Located in Downingtown, PA
Early Staffordshire bocage figure group of gardener and companion, circa 1825. The charming bocage figure group of male and female gardeners ...
Pearlware, Pottery
19th Century bronze model of two cherubs riding a dolphin
Located in London, GB
An attractive mid-19th century well cast bronze model of two winged cherubs riding a dolphin, supported on plinth base.
Bronze