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
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
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
$4,589
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
Victorian Brass Fox Head Door Stop
Located in Essex, MA
A nice early large scale fox with hunting crop.
Brass, Iron
$667Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 10.24 in D 1.97 in
Antique Horse Doorstop, English, Brass, Equine Door Keeper, Victorian, C.1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique horse doorstop. An English, brass equine door keeper, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. A charming example of Victorian domestic décor, combining function with equestrian style. Delightful Victorian period doorstop from the late 19th century Brass casting with warm golden tones and attractive patina Horse presented in profile, standing with one hoof raised Detailed with reins for a lifelike equestrian finish Raised upon a plinth base for stability and balance Good weight at 2.668kg, ideal for medium-sized doors This antique horse brass...
Brass
Set of Four Chinese Courtyard Door Panels, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A hallmark of Chinese architecture, tall door panels such as these were used in provincial courtyard homes to easily open up a room to the outdoors. Designed with solid wood panels instead of lattice windows, these door panels were likely installed facing the street, used to protect the home rather than provide decoration. The doors were originally linked by hinges set in opposite directions, allowing the doors to fold upon themselves as they open. Instead of the elaborate carvings often found on Qing-dynasty doors...
Brass
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
Vintage Cast Iron Dachshund Dog Boot Scraper / Door Stop
Located in San Diego, CA
Charming vintage cast iron boot scraper modeled as a dachshund, also known as a "wiener dog." Combining folk art character with practical utility, the elongated body forms the scrape...
Iron
Early 20th Century English Brass Bulldog Door Knocker
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming petite antique early 20th Century English solid brass bulldog door knocker. From a superb collector's estate in England. This fine door knocker is well cast with wonderful...
Brass
Vintage Carved Wooden Door Panels
Located in Napa, CA
Beautifully carved Pakistani Doorway, Consisting of 3 panels.
Wood
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Courtyard Doors, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive set of doors dates to the turn of the century and originated as the outermost entrance gate to a traditional courtyard home in northern China. The pair is crafted of northern elm (yumu) and finished with dark black lacquer and hand-worked iron hardware. Bands of studded iron reinforce the fronts and simple iron plates secure the door latch and round door pulls...
Iron
Door Handle in blown Murano Glass vibrant Red color 1950s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Door Handle in blown Murano Glass vibrant Red color 1950s Italy. Unique Italian Venetian Murano glass door handle in red color, circa 1950s, ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
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
Sold
H 29 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
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
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