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 Jug or Pitcher in Rare Shape with Serpent Handle, circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative fairly large & well hand painted, Jug or Pitcher made by Mason's Ironstone pottery, circa 1830. It has a rare shape and pattern. A jug of the same sha...
Ironstone
William 1Vth Masons Jug or Pitcher in Turner Willow Pattern, circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, Mason's Ironstone Hydra jug or pitcher in the Turner Willow, colored Blue and White pattern, made in the English, first half of the 19th C period, circa 1830. The jug has an octagonal shape with a notched snake handle and is decorated in a very colourful, distinctive "Turner Willow " pattern, which is one of Mason's rarer chinoiserie blue and white patterns, using bold hand painted enamels of various colours and shades, over a light blue printed...
Ironstone
William IVth C J Mason’s Porcelain Milk Jug or Pitcher Pattern 223, circa 1830
By C.J. Mason 1
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early English porcelain Milk Jug or Pitcher, made by C. J. Mason (The same factory who produced Mason's Ironstone) during the period of William IVth, circa 1830-1835. The...
Porcelain
Mason's Ironstone Tureen & Cover Fence in Prunus & Plantain Pattern, Circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an Ironstone Tureen, complete with lid, made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1825 to 1840. This is a rare shape piece in a rare pattern. This tureen and its lid are well potted in a circular shape with moulded handles to the base. The lid has a top knop or knob shapes as a flower head. This is a listed pattern, probably printed initially, then hand painted. The pattern is called "Fence, prunus and Plantain" and is a detailed chinoiserie Mason's pattern, as illustrated on page 96 in The Mason's collectors Club book " A Guide to Mason's patent Ironstone patterns, circa 1813-circa 1848". Both the base and the lid are marked with one of Mason's rarer recorded stating Fenton Stone Works...
Ironstone
Blue & White Bowel “Whampoa Pattern “
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Bowel “Whampoa Pattern “
Ceramic
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
William IVth Mason’s Porcelain Desert Tureen or Sucrier Pattern 223, circa 1830
By C.J. Mason 1
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early English porcelain Sauce Tureen or Sucrier, made by C. J. Mason (The same factory who produced Mason's Ironstone) during the period of William IVth, circa 1830-1835. ...
Porcelain
William IVth PAIR-(B) of C J Mason’s Cups & Saucers Porcelain Ptn 223, Ca 1830
By C.J. Mason 1
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early English, PAIR of porcelain Tea Cups and Saucers, made by C. J. Mason (The same factory who produced Mason's Ironstone) during the period of William IVth, circa 1830-...
Porcelain
Blue & White Footed Bowl With Lid "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Footed Bowl With Lid "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ironstone
Ceramic
Blue & White Plate 8.25" Staffordshire “Whampoa Pattern” Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire 8.25” Plate “Whampoa Pattern” Transferware
Ceramic
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Staffordshire English Ceramic plate Whampoa pattern circa 1842
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire English Ceramic 8.25” Plate / Whampoa pattern circa 1842
Ceramic
William IVth PAIR-(A) of C J Masons Cups & Saucers Porcelain Ptn 223, Ca 1830
By C.J. Mason 1
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early English, PAIR of porcelain Tea Cups and Saucers, made by C. J. Mason (The same factory who produced Mason's Ironstone) during the period of William IVth, circa 1830-...
Porcelain
William IVth John Ridgway PAIR Porcelain Plates Hand Painted Botanical, Ca 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful pair of very decorative, Porcelain Botanical plates by John Ridgway, of Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire Potteries, England, dating to the William IVth period of th...
Porcelain
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Ceramic
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Ceramic
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern
Ceramic
Blue & White Dish Staffordshire Whampoa Pattern Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Dish Staffordshire Whampoa Pattern Transferware
Ceramic
Blue & White Pitcher “ Whampoa Pattern “
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Pitcher “ Whampoa Pattern “ HEIGHT 7.5" DEPTH 8.25 WIDTH 6.5
Ceramic
Blue & White Dish, Staffordshire English Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Dish, Staffordshire English Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed
Ceramic
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern Chip on top left w touch up
Ceramic
Circa 1770 Delft Blue & White Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1770 Delft blue & white plate. Central handled & footed basket vase overflowing with flowers, surrounded by alternating repetive floral vases & natura...
Ceramic
$268
H 1.25 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Mason's Ironstone Imari Pattern Finest Gilding and Sculpted Plate
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Antique Mason's ironstone Imari pattern finest gilding and sculpted plate, English, 19th century. Highest quality.
Ceramic
$357
H 1.3 in Dm 8.1 in
Miles Mason Porcelain Saucer Dish Blue and White Gilded Broseley Pattern Ca 1805
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Porcelain blue and white, hand gilded Saucer Dish / Bowl made by Miles Mason (Mason's), Staffordshire Potteries, England around the turn of the 18th century, circa 1805. ...
Porcelain
$819
H 4.34 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
French 20th Century Black Ceramic Pitcher circa 1950 Handmade Design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pitcher Black original and decorative ceramic pitcher Realised circa 1950 20th century handmade ceramic production Original perfect condition Measures: Height : 11 cm,...
Ceramic
$1,084
H 9.06 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Ceramic Pitcher by Jacques Innocenti, to Vallauris, circa 1960-1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic pitcher by Jacques Innocenti to Vallauris. Perfect original conditions. Handwritten signature under the base "Innocenti Vallauris", circa 1960.
Ceramic
Early Meissen Porcelain Teapot circa 1715 from the Arnhold Collection
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An early Meissen porcelain teapot made circa 1715, decorated by a Dutch hausmaler circa 1730-1740. The teapot is decorated in a Kakiemon pa...
Porcelain
English c. 1859-84 Blue Willow Pattern Platter by J.T. Hudden
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1859-1884 Blue Willow pattern platter by J.T. Hudden, England. Fine earthenware in one of J.T. Hudden's (John Thomas), Anchor Rd., Longto...
Earthenware
Antique Mason's Ironstone Plate – Blue Willow Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exceptional ceramic plate is a fine example of early 19th-century English pottery, produced by the renowned Mason’s Ironstone China around 1820. Featuring the iconic Blue Willow...
Ceramic
$10,226Sale Price / set|25% Off
Mason's Regency Ironstone, 23-Piece Dinner Service, Circa 1920
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite 23-piece dinner set by Mason’s Ironstone belongs to the iconic Regency pattern—a celebrated example of 19th-century English transferware. What sets this set apart is i...
Ironstone, Ceramic
$956Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1 in Dm 9 in
Set of Nine Masons Ironstone 9" Plates Imari or Indian Tree Pattern Variation
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of nine Masons ironstone 9" plates Imari or Indian tree pattern variation, a crisp set of bright and bold plates in excellent antique condition, no chips, cracks or repairs.
Ironstone
A Mason's Ironstone Soup Tureen with Cover, Stand, and Ladle
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
A Mason's Ironstone soup tureen with cover and stand in double landscape pattern. In vibrant blues, golds, and reds. With dolphin handles on the tureen, stand, and at the top of the ...
Ironstone
Antique Chinese Blue and White Vase
Located in East Hampton, NY
Very nice antique Chinese blue and white vase.
Ceramic
Staffordshire English Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed Ceramic 8.25” Plate
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire English Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed Ceramic 8.25” Plate circa 1840
Ceramic
Staffordshire English / Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed Ceramic Plate
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire English / Whampoa Pattern Transfer-Printed Ceramic Plate 10.5 inch
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.1 in Dm 7.7 in
Fine Mason's Side Plate Vase with Chrysanthemum Pattern, William IVth circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine ironstone pottery side plate made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England and beautifully decorated in the Vase and Chrysanthemum pattern, fully s...
Ironstone
Sold
H 1.5 in W 9.13 in D 6.38 in
Copeland & Garret Ironstone Dish #2 Radiating Leaves Ptn No. 3876, circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Ironstone pottery deep serving dish made by Copeland & Garrett / Spode, hand enamelled in the radiating leaves pattern no 3876, produced in the first half of the ...
Ironstone
Sold
H 1.5 in Dm 10.38 in
Mason's Ironstone Soup Bowl or Plate Hand Painted Wood Pigeon Pattern circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive large soup bowl or plate made by the Mason's Patent Ironstone China, England in the early part of the 19th century, c...
Ironstone