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
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
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
Finely Carved Antique Persian Hardwood Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Finely carved Persian hinged box. Decorated with fantasy animals. Circa 1900. Carved hardwood.
Hardwood
$98,450Sale Price|21% Off
H 55 in W 37 in D 30 in
A French 19th Century Carved Marble Whimsical Figural Urn Fountain with Children
By Joseph Reynés I Gurgui
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine large, rare and charming, French, 19th century. Belle Époque carved white marble whimsical figural urn fountain depicting children climbing on an urn with flowers and garlands, influenced in the Louis XV style, by Joseph Reynés I Gurgui (Barcelona, 1850-1926). Signed: Reynes. Barcelona, circa 1890. An almost identical Carrara marble fountain also by Josep Reynés carved in 1893 currently at the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, Spain. Measures: Overall height: 55 inches (140 cm) Marble height: 49 inches (124.5 cm) width: 37 inches (94 cm) depth: 30 inches (76.3 cm) Joseph Reynes Gurguí (Barcelona, 1850 - 1926) is a Catalan sculptor, also known as Reynesy-Gurgui, Spanish school. He studied at the Ecole de la Llotja, studied for a time in Paris, in the workshops of the great French sculptors Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) and Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887). He devoted himself mainly to interior decoration. His works were profoundly marked by a French influence. He exhibited in Paris in 1895 where he received an honorable mention. In 1890 he obtained the first medal in Madrid for "The Violinist". Literature: E. Benezit Dictionaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs by Grund - Nouvelle Edition, 1976 - Volume 8, Page 714. Cristina Mensoza, Ramon Casas...
Marble
$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
$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
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
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
Antique Tekhi Wooden Pot from Nepal, Hand-Carved Hardwood, 1900s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Wooden Pot or Tekhi, from Nepal, 13" Tall, circa 1900s Early 20th century wood pot from Nepal, this particular style of wooden container, pot has a r...
Hardwood
$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
Fine Pair of Intricately Carved Marble Garden Foo Lion Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of opposing foo lions with elaborately carved curled fur and seated on bases. One places a paw on a ball, the other on an upside down baby foo lion. Overall fine time worn sur...
Marble
$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
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
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 13.5 in W 14 in D 5.5 in
British Royal Navy Admiral Brass Ship Bell on Dolphin Cast Iron Yoke, c. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
British Royal Navy Admiral solid brass ship bell mounted on flanking intertwined dolphin cast iron yoke. Mid 19th Century.
Brass, Iron
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
Pair of English Cast Iron Poly Chromed Sitting Lions, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English cast iron poly chromed sitting lions. Mid-19th century.
Iron
English Regency Brass Dolphin Doorstop. Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency brass dolphin doorstop supported by rectangular molded plinth. Mid 19th Century