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.
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
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
Very Fine & Rare Early 19th Century Waterloo Glass Company Glass Decanter
By The Waterloo Glass Company
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The blown & moulded Prussian form body showing a base with vertical cut flutes, rising to shoulders decorated with wheel cut vesica motifs, ribbon swags & basal flutes, the neck with...
Glass, Cut Glass
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
$896 / 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
$262Sale Price|66% Off
H 5.75 in Dm 2.7 in
18th C Georgian Wine Drinking Glass Facet Cut Stem Hand Blown, Ca 1785
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good hand-blown, English, Georgian, wine drinking glass with a facet cut stem, dating from the 18th century, circa 1785. These glasses are very collectable. It is made from English lead glass which is relatively heavy and has a soft grey colour. The glass has the usual striations, inclusions and tiny bubbles you would expect to see in 18th century glass, which gives these glasses their unique charm. The glass has a round funnel bowl which sits on a good facet hand cut stem which extend into the base of the bowl, the stem having a central knop. The stem leads to a conical foot having a snapped off pontil mark to the underside, which has been ground smooth. There are no chips, cracks or any evidence of restoration. Nominal dimensions: Bowl rim diameter: 2.38 inches Foot diameter: 2.7 inches Height: 5.75 inches Overall a beautiful 18th Century English drinking glass...
Glass
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
Mid Century Holmegaard Glass Decanter By Michael Bang, Denmark, 1960's
By Holmgaard, Jacob Bang
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage smokey gray gradient blown glass cinched decanter bottle was designed by Michael Bang for Holmegaard. It is called the Kluk Kluk. He was a major designer for the company. This is from the 1960s. What is most unusual about this is the rare crown stopper that was only made for the Danish markets. This was brought back from Denmark by a collector. For the upper class homes, this was used at the time for liquors and serving special schnapps. Great barware. The small gray gradient bowl seen in the photos must be purchased separately and was only used in this instance for a mini photo still life...
Blown 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
$245
H 0.25 in W 4.5 in D 1.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Style Sterling Silver Bottle Opener
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern bottle opener was realized in Denmark, circa 1960. It features a neoclassical stylized scroll form base; a reeded body; as well as channel detailing a...
Sterling Silver
$975 / set
H 12.5 in Dm 5.5 in
Fine Pair of 19th Century Shaft & Globe Cut Glass Decanters, England Circa 1880
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome matched pair of 19th century cut glass decanters, both showing necks with navette & scalloped vertical cut flutes, th...
Cut Glass
$1,450 / set
H 9.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Asymmetrical MCM Baccarat Crystal Whiskey Decanters, 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Unusual asymmetrical configuration Modernist style pair of Baccarat crystal decanters. Signed on the bases Excellent condition.
Crystal
$786
H 7.25 in Dm 2.25 in
Antique English Sterling Silver Topped Miniature Champagne / Liquor Bottle, 1898
Located in Bath, GB
A Wonderful and most unusual miniature Champagne / wine / liquor bottle made from English crystal and handcut to resemble basket weave, outstanding work and without damage. The st...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5 in W 7 in D 4.75 in
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
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