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.
$130Sale Price|60% Off
Polished Brass Candlestick Lamp with Frosted Glass Petal Shade, 1980s
Located in New Orleans, LA
A quality polished solid brass candlestick accent lamp with a handmade frosted glass petal shade and gold candle drip sleeve. In-line switch and long cord....
Brass
Antique William IV Gilt Bronze Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A large, 72cm, beautiful English William IV table lamp, circa 1835 in date. The striking lamp features the original glass receiver, classic William IV design and has been converte...
Bronze
A William IV 19th Century Opaline Glass White Table or Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 An unusual mid nineteenth century white opaline glass column lamp with gilt bronze mounts and unusual onion shaped cowl shade. Total height 57.00cm Width of ba...
Ormolu
A Large Pair William IV Style Brass Column Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of late 19th century William IV style brass column lamps with bulbous base supported on a square plinth, the column rising out of the bulb and decorated with leaf shoots. Cur...
Brass
Large William IV Gilt-Bronze & Faux Lapis Lazuli Lamp
Located in Kent, Dover
A large English, William IV gilt bronze lamp with a hexagonal base lapis lazuli painted central column and gilt bronze leaves.
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Brass Neoclassical Style Corinthian Column Lamps
By The Marbro Lamp Company, Frederick Cooper, E. F. Chapman
Located in Houston, TX
Large pair of brass Neoclassical style Corinthian column lamps. These large scale lamps will make a statement in any interior. Our large Neoclassical style lamps have been newly wi...
Brass
$1,614
H 25.6 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in
Large French Chinoiserie Gilt Bronze & Hand-Painted Porcelain Lamp
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large French Chinoiserie Style Gilt Bronze and Hand-Painted Porcelain Table Lamp An impressive late 19th-century French oil lamp, later converted to electricity, showcasing exquisit...
Bronze
NJP Table Lamp or Desk Lamp White
Located in Courbevoie, FR
The lamp was designed by Nendo design studio of Japan and designer Oki Sato. NJP Table is a new interpretation of the classic architect lamp. Its simple and honest look bares the lam...
Aluminum, Steel
19th Century Satsuma Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century (Meiji period 1868-1912) Japanese satsuma vase or lamp. Having classical gilded decoration of flowers, birds and scholars. Mounted on a fretted ormol...
Porcelain
Laurel Chrome & Mushroom Frosted Glass Shade Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Laurel Chrome & Mushroom Frosted Glass Shade Lamp
Chrome
Vintage Neoclassical Style Brass & Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century heavy Greek Corinithian column shaped table lamp with green marble base and brass body styled after an ionic reeded column between square plinths. Includes harp, wh...
Marble, Brass
Large Pair Italian Column Neoclassic Alabaster Table Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of large scale finely crafted hand carved neoclassical style column form alabaster lamps on brass bases. Expertly crafted with intricate carving throughout. Newly wired with new...
Alabaster, Brass
French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A splendid two Candle Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with replaced pleated shade, now electrified. Fine details including Acorn Finials, Beaded Candle Holders...
Bronze
A Large Brass Column Lamp
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A large heavy brass Corinthian column lamp. This lamp has a classical and elegant neoclassical-inspired design. The column-style base and a fluted shaft and capital at the top rese...
Brass
Large 19th Century Gilt Bronze Lamp
Located in Kent, Dover
A large English XIX Century gilt bronze table lamp, with a pleated ikat linen shade (80cm's high with shade). Provenance: Haughton Castle, Northumberland.
Bronze
Pair Brass & Black Portoro Marble Ionic Column Table Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of neoclassical ionic column table lamps with black Italian portoro marble block bases. Reeded brass columns with Greek style ionic capita...
Brass
Fancy Pair of Crystal & Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fancy pair of crystal and brass neoclassical style table lamps with custom silk shades. The columns look like corinthian columns.
Crystal, Brass
Pair English WmIV Period Spiral Cast Brass Candlesticks as Lamps, ca. 1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
Height as photographed with shade 31 inches, shades not included but available for purchase
Brass
Brass William IV Column Lamp
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century brass column lamp with ionic capitals.
Brass
Fine Pair of William IV Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
A Fine pair of early 19th century candlestick lamps, supported on marble plinths.
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 18.9 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
A Large Pair of 19th Century William IV Style Brass Column Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of late 19th century William IV style brass column lamps with bulbous base supported on a square plinth, the column rising out of the bulb and decorated with leaf shoots. Cur...
Brass
Sold
H 25.6 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Large William IV Red Glass Column Table Lamp with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in London, GB
A very large William IV faceted red glass column lamp with gilt bronze mounts, all supported on a hexagonal base. Currently wired for the UK. Please enquire for rewiring services. ...
Bronze
20th Solid Mahogany Turned Table Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
20th William IV solid mahogany turned table lamp.
Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th century bronze and ormolu candlesticks, engine turned throughout, having vase-shaped nozzles above reeded tapering stems ending on circular bases. (Now converted...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Nineteenth Century Brass Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of brass 19th century table lamps, circa 1830-1840, formed of lotus leaves, on square plinth bases. Re-wired, with new shades. The same lamps can be found in The Travellers Club, London, designed by Sir Charles Barry...
Brass
1950 Gren Nilo Bronze by Luciano Frigerio
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of table lamps. Crystal bronze structure and fabric lampshade
Art Glass
Pair of English Cut Crystal Table Lamps With Original Globes, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English cut crystal table lamps with the original frosted etched bulbous globes consisting of grape clusters with a floral motif, hanging crystal prisms, and terminating on a...
Crystal, Nickel
Pair of William IV Silver Plated and Brass Candlestick Lamps
Located in Hudson, NY
This interesting pair of candlesticks now mounted as lamps with shades was made in England around 1840. Made as second tier goods with new manufacturing processes showing the influen...
Brass
Italian Painted Torchere Fragment to Table Lamp, Circa 1840
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A painted torchere fragment on a square base wired as a table lamp with a custom linen shade.
Wood