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.
Large Ornate Antique Sterling Silver Salver, London, 1836
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1836 by Hayne & Cater, this attractive, William IV, Antique Sterling Silver Salver, stands on three shell feet, and features a shell and scroll border, an...
Sterling Silver
$28,500
Paul Storr Silver-Gilt Bowl
By Paul Storr
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare and exceptional William IV bowl is the work of preeminent Georgian silversmith Paul Storr. Crafted of luxurious gilt silver, the bowl exhibits all the hallmarks of Storr’s celebrated style, from the textured panels and applied decorations to the ruffled scallop shells and acanthus adorning its matching, fitted underplate. Paul Storr was a master at redefining and perfecting Georgian, Regency and William IV silver. His works have remained the most desirable with collectors for generations, and many have been given as prizes in refined competitions. Elegant and sumptuous, this bowl was later awarded as First Prize in a backgammon tournament in 1972. Paul Storr was a master at redefining and perfecting Georgian, Regency and William IV silver. Although he created items of great extravagance, some of his most captivating designs exhibited his restrained yet refined sensibilities. His works have remained the most desirable with collectors for generations and many have been given as prizes in refined competitions. Later presentation inscription “Clermont Club Grand International Backgammon Tournament April 1972 First Prize” Hallmarked London, 1836 on bowl and stand; stand numbered 435 Bowl: 8 ¼” diameter x 3 3/8” high Stand: 10” diameter 38.2 troy ounces The Clermont Club, located on London’s aristocratic Berkeley Square in Mayfair, is one of the most exclusive gaming clubs in the world. The club is housed in the only surviving town house designed by renowned Georgian architect William Kent, and the architecture and interiors make it one of the most elegant clubs in existence. The list of the club's original members included the cream of the British aristocracy...
Silver
Pair of Antique English Blue and White Chinoiserie Transfer Earthenware Dishes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine pair of 19th century English orientalist blue and white transfer pottery dishes by John Rogers and Sons, Staffordshire, depicting chinoiserie landscapes in floral borders. Stamp...
Earthenware
Staffordshire 8.25 Plate "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ceramic
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire 8.25 Plate "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ceramic
Ceramic
Antique William IV period Old Sheffield meat dish and cover made circa 1830
By Roberts, Smith & Co.
Located in London, London
Made circa 1830 by Roberts, Smith & Co. , this attractive, Antique, William IV period Old Sheffield Plate Meat Dish & Cover, features a pumpkin shaped cover with flat chased detailin...
Sheffield Plate
Large Frank Smith Chippendale Sterling Silver Tray with Piecrust Rim
Located in New York, NY
Large Georgian-style sterling silver serving tray. Made by Frank Smith in Gardner, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee-arch piecrust rim. A nice traditional piece in the aptly n...
Sterling Silver
Large and Heavy Gorham Chippendale Sterling Silver Serving Tray, 1944
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Chippendale sterling silver serving tray. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1944. Round with flat curvilinear ogee rim. A large and heavy piece in this pattern. Fully marked including ...
Sterling Silver
Paul Storr Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Salts
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of three antique Georgian English sterling silver salts made by Paul Storr; an addition to our silver cruet and condiment collection. These...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,100
H 1.75 in W 15.25 in D 19 in
William Ridgway English Staffordshire Transferware Platter, Flosculous Pattern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A black on white transfer printed floral platter in the Flosculous pattern, William Ridgway & Co., Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire England, circa 1830-1854. A gently scalloped black-printed platter in an unusual borderless pattern. Alternating floral sprays extend outward — from a three part scroll motif in the center — up the well and onto the rim of the plate. The term ‘flosculous’ means having flowerets or composite-flowered. This stylized pattern feels very modern. 19 in. L x 15.25 in. W x 1.75 in H A printed urn...
Earthenware
$775
H 1.5 in W 12.5 in D 16 in
Podmore Walker Staffordshire Minerva Mythology Sepia Brown Transferware Platter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stoneware sepia brown transfer printed platter, “Minerva” made by Podmore Walker & Co., Tunstall, Staffordshire, England, circa 1834-1859. In Mytho...
Earthenware
$437Sale Price|25% Off
W 17 in D 13 in
Regency Period, Rippon Yorkshire, Ceramic, Blue and White Platter, Circa 1830s
Located in Worcester Park, GB
The image shows an antique Staffordshire blue and white transferware platter, from the early 19th century. This specific platter features the "Combe Bank" pattern and was produced by...
Earthenware
Staffordshire 19th Century Blue and White Plate
Located in Cheshire, GB
Staffordshire 19th century blue and white meat draining plate. Dimensions Height 2.5 inches Width 20.5 inches Depth 16 inches.
Ceramic
Staffordshire 19th Century Blue and White Plate
Located in Cheshire, GB
Staffordshire 19th century blue and white meat draining plate depicting British scenery pattern. Dimensions Height 3 inches Width 20.5 inches Depth 16...
Ceramic
Antique Art Deco Gorham Large Oval Sterling Silver Serving Tray
By Gorham CO.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique presentation oval serving tray was made by the Gorham Company of the United States in approximately 1920 and done in the period Art Deco style. This heavy and substantia...
Sterling Silver
$295
H 6 in W 12 in D 9.25 in
Mappin & Webb's Prince's Plate English Sheffield Silver Plated Covered Dish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mappin & Webb's Prince's Plate English Sheffield Silver Plated Covered Serving Dish. Item features an ornate removable handle, oval form, original hallmark. Circa Early 20th ...
Silver Plate
19th Century English Transferware Platter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English transfer ware platter in the highly collectible "Blue Willow" pattern. This is a very large platter, and has lovely transferring detail. So many of the platters ...
Ceramic
A Paul Storr Silver 12 Place Canteen
By Paul Storr
Located in Cornwall, GB
A superb 12 place silver canteen by Paul Storr. Double struck in the fiddle, thread and shell pattern with diamond and shell heel. London, 1813-1817. Most engraved with Identical cre...
Sterling Silver
Blue & White Platter "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
No description provided
Ceramic
Sold
H 16.5 in W 21 in D 1.75 in
Antique English Blue and White Chinoiserie Transfer Earthenware Platter
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine 19th century English orientalist blue and white transfer pottery platter by John Rogers and Sons, Staffordshire, depicting a chinoiserie landscape bordered by trees and featurin...
Pottery
Sold
H 1.5 in W 18 in D 15.5 in
Chamberlains Worcester Meat Platter, Green, Brazilian Order of the Rose, ca 1829
Located in London, GB
This is a historically important meat platter made by Chamberlain's Worcester between 1829 and 1837. It has an emerald green ground with floral reserves and the Collar and Medallion of the Brazilian Imperial Order of the Rose with the motto "Amor e Fidelidad". The Chamberlain factory was founded in the 1780s by Robert Chamberlain, who was responsible for the decoration department in the famous Worcester pottery during the Dr Wall period. He set up his own factory with his son Humphrey, initially buying up stock from Turner's Caughley factory for decoration, but then around 1794 starting to produce their own porcelain. By the year 1800 they had built up a strong reputation, producing wonderful tea and dinner ware for the British and European nobility and becoming a mighty competitor of both the Worcester/Flight & Barr and Grainger factories. In the 1840s the factory merged back with Worcester, which later also bought Grainger and was formed into the later Royal Worcester. This is a historically important meat platter that would have belonged to a large dinner service. It has a beautiful emerald green ground with flower reserves, filled with fine hand painted English garden flowers. A striking feature is the Collar and Medallion of the Imperial Brazilian...
Porcelain
William IV Silver Entree Dish and Warmer Sheffield, 1832
By Samuel Walker
Located in Cornwall, GB
A very good quality William IV silver entree dish of shaped oval form. Embellished to the borders and lid with cast silver flower, leaf and fruit decoration. The twist off handle cas...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 8.86 in
Set of Four Silver Strawberry or Serving Dishes, London 1835 by Robert Garrard
Located in Cornwall, GB
A very rare set of four silver strawberry or salad/serving dishes London 1835 by Robert Gerrard II. Each scalloped circular body with wavy rim, the center engraved with an armorial f...
Sterling Silver
Fine William IV Sterling Silver Footed Salver, Hallmarked Sheffield, 1834
By Waterhouse, Hodgson & Co. 1
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The circular body embossed with 'C' scrolls and foliate engraved motifs, rising to a stepped wavy rim, raised overall upon three scrolled supports. The underside bearing full hallmar...
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century William IV Solid Silver Large Salver Tray by W. Brown
By W. Brown
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century rare William IV Solid Silver Salver tray, very large size and heavy gauge, of shaped-circular form with applied scroll and acanthus border, beautifully engraved ...