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.
Pair 19th Century English Gilt Brass and Crystal Neoclassical Style Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of William IV three light sconces feature classical motifs including urn and acanthus leaf designs, and cut crystal obelisks.
Crystal, Brass
Set of Eight English Brass and Crystal Two-Arm Floral Wall Sconces, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of Eight English brass and crystal two arm wall sconces with decorative floral and beading motif. Sconces were originally candle powered and have been electrified. Mid-19th century.
Crystal, Brass
Set of Six English Bronze Coat of Arms and Floral Motif Sconces, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of six English two-arm bronze sconces with foliage paladin cornices , centered floral coat of arms, fluted bobeches with tampered spheres, and terminating with a lower centered decorative winged...
Bronze
Pair of English Brass Foliage Two Arm Mirrored Sconces, circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass mirrored foliage sconces with two scrolled arms, medallions, graduated bell flowers, and acanthus motif. Pair have been elec...
Brass
$11,870 / set
Pair of William IV Ormolu and Glass Wall Lights
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A pair of English William IV three-light ormolu-mounted cut-glass wall lights the ormolu back plate surmounted by three-leaf cut candle arms with flute cut nozzles and drip pans hung...
Ormolu
$6,060Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 13.39 in W 4.14 in D 3.35 in
Unique Austrian Set of Six Murano Smoke "Citrus" Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique, beauty and stunning Set of Six Austrian MidcCentury smoke Murano Glass Wall Sconces, model "Citrus" 4663. These sconces were designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Aus...
Metal, Brass
$2,832 / set
H 17.72 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in
Antique 18th Century Double Eagle Wall Mirrors Candle Sconces Repoussé Brass
Located in Munich, DE
This pair of 18th centurty repoussé brass walls sconces has retained its original condition and patina as well as the original mirror glass. A pair...
Brass
$826 / set
H 8.08 in W 4.73 in D 3.75 in
Set of Two "BUBBLE" Tynell Style Glass Wall Light Sconces, Germany, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of two Wall light sconces Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This set of two modernist lights was produced in France in the 1970s. It is made from glass with a abs...
Metal
Pair of Art Deco Chrome and Glass Wall Lights, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Sophisticated pair of Art Deco wall lights produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. These elegant sconces combine frosted cylindrical glass diffusers with chrome plated metal con...
Metal, Chrome
Swing-Arm Wall Sconce
Located in Oakville, CT
Steel Swing-Arm Wall Sconce with Milk Glass Shade Overall Length: 47″ Bracket Height: 29″ Height from top of arm to bottom of bulb: 12 1/4″ Arm Length:...
Steel, Metal
$3,800 / set
H 38.5 in W 15 in D 4 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of early 19th century continental sconce mirrors with original early glass and original gilding. Two arm sconces for candles. Great size and wo...
Mirror, Beech, Giltwood
$11,210
H 20.87 in W 13 in D 1.19 in
18th Century, Giltwood Pair of Italian Louis XV Candle Wall Sconce with Mirror
Located in IT
Pair of Piedmontese Italian candle wall sconce in carved and gilded wood with mirror. Turin (Italy), Louis XV period, mid-18th century The precious pair of sconce, made around th...
Mirror, Giltwood
$17,000 / set
H 29 in W 15 in D 2 in
Mirrored Wall Sconces Swedish Gustavian 18th Century Signed Gilded Sweden, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of mirrored wall sconces made during the early part of the Gustavian period 1775-1790. Made and signed by frame maker Johan Martin ...
Wood
$68,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 17 in D 8.5 in
Pair of 18th Century English Giltwood Chinoiserie Mirrors with Candleholders
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of antique 18th century George II chinoiserie English carved giltwood mirrors with candleholders. These magnificently hand-carved giltwood mirrors are meticulously detailed and adorned with acanthus leaves flourishing throughout the frame with flowers and vines blossoming all around. On each mirror has a double arm gilt metal candleholder held up by acanthus vines growing upwards out of the plane of the mirrors, the primary wood is pine. From an Important and old NYC...
Mirror, Giltwood
Large Pair of French 19th Century Ormolu Wall Lights
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of late 19th century French ormolu four branch wall lights, each with classical scenes depicted in the plaques, scrolling foliate, and ribbon decoration.
Ormolu
Pair of European Wall Lights in Crystal Glass and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of wall lights, glass, brass, Europe, 1960s Pair of crystal sconces with brass fixture. These wall lights come with the elegance of royal lighting. The brass frame reminds of a...
Brass
Pair of Mirror Sconces
Located in Seattle, WA
Pair of gilded French mirrors with decorative arms holding a single lamp each.
Mirror
Sold
H 9.75 in W 11.5 in D 6 in
Pair of English Gilt Tole Decorative Foliage Two Arm Shaded Wall Sconces, C 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Gilt Tole decorative foliage flanking two arm shaded wall sconces, Early 19th Century. Pair were originally candle powered and have been electrified.
Tin
Antique English Mirrored Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th century William IV wall sconces with scallops and beveled mirrored backplates, now distressed, and two turned brass candle cups on gra...
Brass
Large Scale 19th Century English Cut Crystal Single Sconce
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This huge candle powered three arm sconce features rule cut prisms with jewel cut rondels, and silver plated fittings.
Crystal