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.
$436Sale Price|28% Off
Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Double Landscape ptn Rare Shape, circa 1840
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative, finely hand painted, Jug or Pitcher, decorated in the Double Landscape pattern and made by Mason's Ironstone pottery, circa 1840. It has a rare shape and ...
Ironstone
$303Sale Price|41% Off
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
$425Sale Price|37% Off
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
Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in rare Cashmire Ptn, William 1Vth Ca 1833
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, Mason's ironstone hydra jug with a snake handle in the Cashmire De Thibet pattern dating to the William 1Vth English 19th century period, circa 1832-1836 The jug has an octagonal hydra shape with a snake handle. This pattern is not often seen. It is called "Cashmire De Thibet" and is illustrated on page 60 of the book; A Guide To Mason's Patent Ironstone Patterns, published by The Mason's Collectors' Club. The jug is unmarked to the base as was sometimes the case, but is definitely by Mason's Ironstone as they were the only manufacturer to produce a jug in this shape with this pattern and dating to the English William 1Vth period circa 1832-1836. Overall a very nice Masons Hydra Jug or Pitcher in a rare pattern. Notes on the pattern. This unusual name of "Cashmire De Thibet" was a name applied circa 1832-1836, to summer scarves...
Ironstone
English Georgian blown and cut glass water/whiskey jug, c. 1830
Located in Kenilworth, IL
English Georgian blown & cut glass water/whiskey jug. The jug has a panel cut standing rim with spout & attachment of the upper loop handle joining the standing rim to the gl...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
$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
$813
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
$1,076
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
Antique English Cut Crystal and Silver Plate Wine Jug
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent large wine jug, wonderful quality made from a hefty piece of crystal beautifully hand-cut. The naturalistic handle is just lovely, the collar and lid smothered with ...
Silver Plate
Circa 1813-1820 English Pair of Mason's Imari Palette Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1813-1820 Pair of Mason's Imari Palette Plates, English. Ever so slightly scalloped form. Impressed "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" mark. Japanese vase & flowers pattern. Minor ...
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
Large English Silver Plated Holding Top / Cut Glass Claret Jug / Pitcher
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introduce a touch of 19th-century elegance to your table or bar with this exquisite English Silver Plate and Cut Glass Claret Jug from the mid-19th century. The pitcher, designed in ...
Silver Plate
$1,150
H 13.25 in Dm 9 in
Tall Antique White Ironstone Dairy Pitcher, Boch Freres, Belgium, circa 1890
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Tall Antique White Ironstone Dairy Pitcher, Boch Freres, Belgium, circa 1890. Grand size pitcher with raised bands and impressed faux bois design, evoking a wooden pitcher.
Ironstone
Wedgwood Crimson Covered Jug
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
A lovely crimson jasperware jug by Wedgwood, featuring an applied white jasper neoclassical decoration of acanthus leaves and grapes bordering the rim. ...
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century Ironstone Mason Snake Handle Pitcher Imari Pattern
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century ironstone snake handle Pitcher Imari pattern signed Mason.
Ceramic
Sterling Mounted Cut Glass Claret Jug
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large sterling mounted cut-glass claret jug, with hinged top, on a cylinder cut-glass diamond pattern handled jug. Measures: Standing 12.5" high, 6" w...
Sterling Silver
$334
H 9.45 in W 7.09 in D 8.27 in
Large Vintage Italian Majolica Ceramic Strawberry-Shaped Pitcher or Jug
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Introducing a charming and highly decorative large vintage Italian pitcher or jug shaped like a strawberry. It's a vibrant addition to your kit...
Ceramic, Majolica
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Jug / Ewer / Pitcher 1831 Water Serving
By Charles Fox
Located in London, GB
A magnificent antique William IV solid Silver Jug with an elegant shaped body. The Jug is embellished with beautiful shaped cartouches on each panel filled with chased flowers. The r...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 6.38 in W 7.25 in D 5.8 in
William IVth Water Jug or Pitcher Crystal Cut-Glass, Anglo-Irish circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality lead glass, hand blown, water jug or pitcher which we date to the William IV period, circa 1835 This jug is heavy (about 1.3 kg) and holds over 2 pints. The ...
Cut Glass