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.
Mason's Ironstone Garniture of Three Vases, Circa 1835
Located in Downingtown, PA
Regency Opulence: Mason's Ironstone Garniture Vases Object: Garniture of Three Vases (One central, two flanking) Manufacturer: Mason's Ironstone China, Staffordshire, England Date: ...
Pottery, Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Chinoiserie Mazarine Large Blue Vase
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Midnight Majesty: A Monumental Mason's Ironstone Chinoiserie Vase Staffordshire, England, circa 1835–1840 This monumental English Ironstone vase is a striking example of the Chi...
Ceramic, Ironstone
$632Sale Price|51% Off
H 6 in W 12.75 in D 10.25 in
Masons Ironstone large Punch Bowl in Curled Leaf & Flower Basket ptn, circa 1838
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Large twin Handled open Punch Bowl made by Mason's Ironstone in a beautiful pattern called: Curled Leaf and flower Basket, made in the early 19th century, William 1Vth peri...
Ironstone
$291Sale Price|52% Off
H 2.5 in W 12 in D 7.25 in
Mason's Ironstone Serving Dish, Oriental Pheasant Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative serving dish or tray by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the Oriental Pheasant pattern, dating to the very early p...
Ironstone
Large Ironstone Vase, Circa 1900
Located in Doylestown, PA
A large ironstone vase by Burgess & Campbell, circa 1900, in cream glaze.
Ironstone
C. 1880 Set of 4 Highly Decorative Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880 set of 4 Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates. A highly decorative set of Ashworth's Brothers "Real Ironstone China" in swirlling floral & geometric pattern. The pattern ...
Ironstone
$219Sale Price|33% Off
H 1.15 in Dm 8.07 in
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Dish or Plate in Bamboo & Basket Pattern, circa 1817
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative dish or plate by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the Bamboo and Basket pattern, dating to the early 19th century, Georgian period, circa 1813-1820. The plate or dish is fairly deep and circular in shape with a notched rim. It is decorated in one of Mason's boldly colored chinoiserie...
Ironstone
$938Sale Price|24% Off
H 20.375 in Dm 10.75 in
Large Antique English Morley & Ashworth 'Mason's' Ironstone Pottery Angel Vase
Located in Portland, OR
Rare, antique, large 19th century exhibition ironstone pottery vase by Morley & Ashworth, for the 1862 International Exhibition. Morley & Ashworth had taken over the designs of Mas...
Ironstone
$698Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.7 in W 11.25 in D 8.2 in
Mason's Ironstone Wine Cooler Hand Painted with Gold Posies, rare piece Ca 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a superb very rare, fine quality ironstone Wine Cooler or a Two-Handled Pot, all beautifully hand painted, made by Mason's Patent Ironstone China Company, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1820. This piece is substantial and heavily potted, weighing about 2.5 Kg un-packed. The handles are very strongly potted and this piece is quite suitable for use as a wine cooler as intended, or perhaps as a vase or display center piece...
Ironstone
$263Sale Price|45% Off
H 1.25 in Dm 9.38 in
Mason's Ironstone Cabinet Plate in Rare Muscove Duck Pattern, circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautifully hand painted shaped Plate in the rare Muscove Duck pattern by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England, dating to circa 1825. The piece is well potted with a sta...
Ironstone
$1,171Sale Price|71% Off
H 15.75 in W 8.25 in D 6.75 in
Rare Large Masons Ironstone Covered Vase with Relief Motifs, Circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very rare and large Covered Vase by Mason's Ironstone pottery, England, dating to the Late Georgian Regency period , circa 1825. This piece is very well potted with a vertically fluted body sat on a low foot with two substantial handles either side. The domed lid has six small air holes in it and a large knob...
Ironstone
$208Sale Price|42% Off
H 0.99 in Dm 9.8 in
Early Mason's Ironstone Dinner Plate Flying Bird Ptn Retailers mark, circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a late Georgian Ironstone dinner plate in the distinctive flying bird pattern, made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early 19th century, circa 182...
Ironstone
$208Sale Price|32% Off
H 1.65 in W 2.85 in D 2.4 in
Rare Mason's Ironstone Miniature Bowl all hand painted Pattern, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare miniature Mason's ironstone Bowl, decorated in a beautiful hand painted floral gilded pattern, which we date to circa 1820. Miniature or toy items of Masons ironstone...
Ironstone
$208Sale Price|53% Off
H 1.8 in W 2.7 in D 2.25 in
Rare Mason's Ironstone Coffee Can in Basket Japan Pattern, circa 1890
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an ironstone coffee can or cup in a rare shape, hand enameled in the Basket Japan pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire,...
Ironstone
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.45 in D 6.11 in
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Presentation Cup, London, England, 1835
By Jason Hobbs
Located in Cagliari, IT
A fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver presentation cup by Jason Hobbs. This presentation cup has a Campania form onto a knopped pedestal to a circular spr...
Sterling Silver
Mason's Ironstone Japan Pattern Vases, a Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mason's ironstone Japan pattern pair of vases, circa 1830-1840. The vases are decorated in an imari palette with scroll handles highlighted in tu...
Ironstone