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 Leather Book Hinged Decanter Set with Fitted Bottle & Glasses, C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English leather book hinged hideaway decanter set with original fitted interior gilt bottle and glasses, Mid-19th Century
Brass
William IV Sterling Silver-Mounted Wood Wine/Champagne Bottle Coaster
Located in New York, NY
William IV, sterling silver-mounted wood wine/champagne bottle coaster, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1836. Lovely scalloped design...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Late 18th Century Baluster Form Facetted Blue Glass Decanters
Located in London, by appointment only
A pair of late 18th century baluster form facetted blue glass decanters. The diamond cut bodies are further enhanced with swags of gilt foliate ornament suspended on ribbons. They re...
Glass
$1,022 / set
H 11.03 in W 5.52 in D 2.96 in
Art Deco 'Jazz Man' Glass Decanter Set with 6 Matching Glasses, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish Art Deco glass decanter set, comprising decanter, stopper and six glasses. Really attractive shaped to this set, ideal for shots, whiskey and liqueurs. Free from any dam...
Cut Glass
Antique Pair of Sterling Silver Coasters by Joseph Scammell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver coasters; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection These fine antique George III sterling silver coasters have an octagonal shaped form onto a stepped base. Each coaster is embellished with a band of pierced and pin struck decoration to the upper portion and plain pin struck borders to each panel. The decoration to the body of each piece incorporates a pin struck bordered shaped cartouche displaying a contemporary bright cut engraved crest. The coasters are fitted with fine and impressive turned mahogany bases. Each coaster retains the original green baize to the underside. These impressive Georgian coasters are highly desirable due to design and medial size. Condition These antique coasters...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Liquor Decanter Bottle Name Tags 7 Available
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful sterling silver liquor & wine decanter name tags. Marked sterling, some with hallmarks two marked made in Spain. They run the gamut from gin to...
Sterling Silver
Faceted Green Glass Juice Cups, Set of 2
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of two faceted green juice cups, or small vases. Dimensions: 2.75" diameter 3.75" tall.
Glass
Sterling Silver Wine Bottle Coaster
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver and glass wine bottle coaster by Frank M. Whiting Co., circa early 20th century, Massachusetts, USA. Piece is sterling silver and...
Sterling Silver
$1,083 / set
H 9.85 in W 5.52 in D 2.56 in
Art Deco Karl Palda Glass Decanter Set with 6 Matching Glasses, circa 1930
By Karl Palda
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish Art Deco glass decanter set, comprising decanter, stopper and six glasses. Really attractive shaped to this set, ideal for shots, whiskey and liqueurs. Free from any dam...
Cut Glass
$1,295 / set
H 9.85 in W 5.52 in D 1.66 in
Art Deco Karl Palda Glass Decanter Set with 6 Matching Glasses, circa 1930
By Karl Palda
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish Art Deco decanter set comprising decanter, stopper and six glasses. Really attractive shaped to this set, ideal for shots, whiskey and liqueurs. Free from damage, just o...
Cut Glass
$1,220 / set
H 10.63 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Glass Decanter Set with 6 Matching Glasses, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Extremely stylish Art Deco decanter set comprising decanter, stopper and six glasses. Really attractive shaped to this set, ideal for all drinks. Completely free from any damage, ju...
Cut Glass
$911 / set
H 10.63 in W 5.52 in D 3.15 in
Art Deco Blue Color Bohemian Glass Decanter and 6 Glasses Set, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Art Deco blue color Bohemian glass decanter and 6 glasses set, the 1930s Beautifully colored, handmade Czech Bohemian glass set - decanter and six ...
Glass
Sterling Silver Penguin Champagne Bottle Holder
Located in Milan, IT
This is a sterling silver champagne bottle holder playfully modeled after a penguin. Its true-to-life quality is remarkable and makes it a very...
Sterling Silver
$950
H 7 in W 7.75 in D 5.5 in
Roberts and Belk Art Nouveau Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Art Nouveau Silver Plated Twin Handle Sculptural Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster by Roberts and Belk, Sheffield. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 7" H x ...
Silver Plate
Art Deco Blue Austrian Bimini Glass Mermaid Decanter Set with 8 Glasses
By Bimini Glass
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Art Deco Bimini decanter with matching set of eight glasses. Handblown in blue, and decorated with white mermaids. One is seen in the decanter as well ...
Glass
Rare William IV Period Edinburgh Scotland Sterling Silver Wine Funnel
Located in New York, NY
Rare, William IV Period, sterling silver wine funnel, Edinburgh, Scotland, year-hallmarked for 1832, Marshall and Sons - makers (maker's mark is listed in Wyler's Book of Old Silver...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Wine Cooler by William Bateman II
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver wine cooler made by William Bateman II; an addition to our antique wine and drink related silverware collection This magnificent antique William IV sterling silver wine cooler has a circular campania shaped form onto a circular spreading foot. The surface of the cooler is embellished with exceptional cast and applied fruiting vine ornamentation, accented with grape clusters and three-dimensional leaf designs. The body is further ornamented with large acanthus leaf designs, encompassing the underside of the bulbous portion. This antique wine cooler is fitted with an exceptional pair of cast silver handles realistically modelled in the form of interlacing vines; this is a continuation of the fruiting vine decoration to the body. This exceptional William Bateman wine cooler retains the original, hallmarked detachable liner and push fit cover. The sterling silver torus-shaped cover is ornamented with an applied moulded border to the rim. The surface of the lining is plain and embellished with a contemporary engraved crest of an eagle displayed supporting in the dexter claw a staff erect, thereon hoisted a pennon forked and flowing to the sinister with the lettering 'Per sinum Codanum' - Through the Gulf of Cadonus*. This magnificent cooler was crafted by the renowned and collectable London silversmith William Bateman II. Such wine coolers of this design are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. * This heraldic marking pertains to the Graves-Sawle family, with the motto representing Graves. Condition This antique silver William Bateman wine cooler is a superior gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The cast and applied decoration is very sharp and the engraved crest is very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the body are clear in keeping with age and location. The part hallmarks to liner and cover are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique barware...
Silver, Sterling Silver
William IV Lidded Brandy Warmer by Richard Sibley
By Richard Sibley
Located in New Orleans, LA
Classic, understated elegance defines this English William IV-period silver pot. Crafted by Richard Sibley, this lidded, single-handled pot was used to ...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Goblet by Paul Storr
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique William IV English sterling silver goblet made by Paul Storr; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This fine antique William IV sterling silver gob...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Mug / Beer Mug / Pint Mug 1835
Located in London, GB
A classic antique William IV sterling Silver Mug in a traditional Baluster shape with a substantial ornate acanthus leaf topped scroll handle. Made in London in 1835 bu Robert He...
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver William IV Barrel Beakers
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique English silver beakers of Barrel form, made by Edward Barnard & Sons of London in 1835. When joined together they form a whole "barrel" and when separated they are ...
Silver
William iv Mahogany Cellarette
Located in New Orleans, LA
This refined William IV period wine cellarette is crafted of rich mahogany and boasts beautifully carved details. The sarcophagus form is distinguished by handsome lion paw feet and ...
Mahogany