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 Nautical Yacht Cabin Lantern, Stamped Best and Lloyd, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English polished steel nautical yacht cabin lantern with wooden carrying handle, vented chimney, three glass panels, porcelain back, and original oil bu...
Metal
English Brass Decorative Acanthus Circular Glass Hanging Hall Lantern, C. 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass circular hanging hall lantern with a centered cluster acanthus ring, four floral acanthus upper finials, upper decorative filigree and flor...
Brass
$2,770
H 29 in Dm 8.3 in
Dutch Arts & Crafts Brass & Cylindrical Glass Entry Hall Pendant Lantern ca 1910
Located in Lisse, NL
All-Original Dutch Arts & Crafts Brass and Glass Pendant Light, circa 1910. All-Original Dutch Arts & Crafts Brass and Glass Pendant Light, circa 1910 If you are looking for...
Brass, Wire, Bronze
$3,772
H 47 in Dm 13.2 in
Antique & Large Size Gothic Revival Wrought Iron & Transparent Glass Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, top quality made antique pendant in the Gothic style. If you are a collector of rare and ancient looking Gothic antiques then this large size and possibly one of a kind pendant could be flying your way soon. With antique light fixtures as one of our specialities, we know how rare Gothic lanterns are and to have found one of this age, size, beauty and quality more than made our day. Also, because this all hand-crafted specimen is, except for the glass, completely original and in superb condition. What makes this stylishly blackened specimen stand out from the other Gothic lights that we have sold over the years, is the thickness of the forged wrought iron parts and its relatively clean-lined design. The forged iron is thick and strong and that too is why this large lantern light...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$1,025
H 35.44 in W 9.06 in D 9.06 in
Antique Style Brass & Glass Crystal Cut Hanging Pendent Lantern Ceiling Light
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage style Brass & Cut Glass Hanging Pendant ceiling light This piece is fully of charm and character and looks amazing Conditio...
Brass
$2,399
H 35 in Dm 8.6 in
Beautiful English Arts & Crafts Brass and Opaline Glass Lantern / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique Arts & Crafts Brass & Opaline Glass Pendant Lantern, c.1890. his impressive and finely handcrafted lantern is a rare surviving example of late 19th-century Arts & Crafts des...
Brass
Large Glass and Gilt Bronze Hanging Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
This hall lantern has been exquisitely crafted from glass and gilt bronze (ormolu). The piece will look wonderful placed in a grand entrance hall, living or dining room. The light it...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Solid Brass 5 Light Hall Lantern, circa 1920-1930
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique solid brass 5 light hall lantern, circa 1920-1930.
Brass
$886Sale Price|20% Off
H 45.28 in Dm 12.21 in
Antique Moorish Pierced Brass and Stained Glass Hanging Lamp, Lantern
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Moroccan pendant light. Newly rewired, and in very good condition with age appropriate patina. Original chains. Uses one single standard bulb E26/E27. Made of metal with cut...
Brass
$2,282
H 40 in Dm 8.8 in
Magnificent Dutch Arts & Crafts Brass & Round Glass Hall Lantern / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Perfect size Antique, Arts and Crafts hallway pendant with 12 curved art glass panels. If you are looking for a stylish and quality crafted antique lantern to grace your entry hall,...
Brass
Four-Sides Brass and Bronze Vintage Hanging Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant hanging lantern made of solid brass and bronze four side of beveled glass with three 60/wall light .newly electrified and ready to use. One more is available on line.
Brass, Bronze
Rustic Hall Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
Rustic hall lantern, a whimsical design, this large hall lantern has a slightly rustic feel to it thanks to the swirling arms. Finished in black and...
Steel, Iron
English Circa 1920 Pond Yacht
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This charming antique pond yacht from England (circa 1920) will appeal to the sailor, the toy collector, the kid-at-heart types alike. Significantly larger than a simple toy, this fa...
Brass
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.37 in Dm 12 in
20th Century Brass Lantern Hanging Pendant with Handblown Circular Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish 20th century brass lantern hanging pendant with handblown circular glass.
Bronze
A William IV Hexagonal Brass Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A William IV hexagonal brass hall lantern with scrolling foliate struts, pierced palmette decoration to the frieze and cone finials to the base. Height 80.00cm...
Brass
A William IV hexagonal bronze hall lantern
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A fine early nineteenth century hexagonal bronze hall lantern with stylised anthemions to the canted corners, shaped uprights below a glass cowl, all supported o...
Bronze
Sold
H 28.5 in Dm 13.5 in
English Brass Circular Hanging Hall Lantern with Interior Cluster, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass circular hanging hall lantern with flanking ball finials, decorative scroll work, star filigree, exterior hinged door, and interior ...
Brass, Wire
Sold
H 42.5 in Dm 13.5 in
Pair of English Brass Acanthus Foliage Medallion Hanging Hall Lanterns. C. 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass acanthus foliage medallion hanging hall lanterns with decorative exterior scroll work, and fitted with an interior four light cluster, Early 19th century. Pair ...
Brass, Wire
English Brass Hanging Glass Hall Lantern with Decorative Medallions, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass hanging eight sided glass hall lantern with exterior swag floral medallions, decorative mounted exterior colored glass medallions, and terminating on a tapered circular...
Brass
Pair of Brass Hexagonal Lanterns
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of brass hexagonal lanterns, with six-branch light fitting, circa 1900. Provenance: Royal Bank of England, The Strand, London.
Brass
English Brass Circular Glass Hall Lantern, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass circular hall lantern with paneled glass, upper and lower decorative urn finials, turned bulbous scrolled arms, and fitted with a four-light interior cluster. Originall...
Brass
English Brass Hanging Glass Dome Lantern, Stamped England, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English three-light hanging dome lantern with centered circular ring, curvature glass, and terminating on vented turned base with acorn finial. Originally...
Brass