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.
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
$3,900 / set
Pair Of William IV Gilt Brass Lamps
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very nice quality pair of William IV period gilt brass candelabra, now as lamps, having acanthus and lotus leaf designs, the column form body with foliate cast collars and standing o...
Brass
A Fine 19th Century William IV Red Agate Cut Glass and Brass Oil Lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A fine early nineteenth century William IV oil lamp, the red cut agate glass stem of flared form punctuated with a stylised brass lotus leaf and terminating in a ...
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
An Interesting Pair of William IV Period Bronze Colza Rhyton Lamps
By Thomas Messenger
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Interesting Pair of William IV Period Bronze Colza Rhyton Lamps Attributed to Thomas Messenger and Now Electrified c.1835 The lamps in the form of classical rhytons with covers and lighting elements, now electrified, in tubes attached to the front of the boars’ heads. These fine lamps were originally intended to be used with wicks and colza oil stored in the urn-shaped reservoirs. The design of the rhytons is taken directly from a plate in G. B. Piranesi’s highly influential series Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, published in 1778. The rhyton was a classical drinking vessel but the enormous sculptural representation of one reproduced by Piranesi was highly influential on the generation of grand tourists, and would-be grand tourists, of the late 18th century and the design came to be reproduced in many branches of the decorative arts from porcelain versions to bronze and marble reductions and, as in the present example, as designs for lighting. The use of the rhyton as a colza lamp...
Bronze
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
Table Lamp Glazed Red, 19th Century, China
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp glazed red 19th century, China. A table lamp made in a deep red glazed pottery. Measures: H with shade: 22.5”, H without shade: 16”, dia...
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
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Brass
$1,650 / set
H 21 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
American Modern, Polished Brass, Adjustable Table Lamps, USA, 1980s
Located in Stamford, CT
American Mid-Century Modern, Polished Brass, Accordion Table Lamps, USA, 1980s A pair of retractable table or desk lamps designed and produced in the ...
Brass
$1,237 / set
H 17.33 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of geometric travertine marble lamps with gilt brass details - c. 1970 -
Located in Madrid, España
Pair of geometric travertine marble lamps with gilt brass details - c. 1970 - Spain Dimensions: 44 x 12 x 12 cm
Marble
19th Century French Provincial Brass & Glass Table Lamp, Rewired
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A darling, petite table lamp from late 19th century France rising from a brass, candlestick base of shepherd’s hook branches with crystal drops to scatter the light. The faux candle ...
Brass
$1,650 / set
H 26 in W 14 in D 14 in
Pair 19th Century French Neoclassical Opaline Table Lamps with Bronze Base
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of French painted Opaline Lamps purchased in France of 2023. Serpent glass detail and bronze base. Appropriate wear on lamp base and painted detail. Gorgeous set, See detailed...
Opaline Glass
$1,374 / set
H 18.12 in Dm 12.6 in
Fabric Shade & Brass Body Elegant Pair of Bedside Lamps, 1980s, Germany
By Leola
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Fabric Shade & Brass Body Elegant Pair of Bedside Lamps, 1980s, Germany Minimal and natural design with fabric Very high quality. Fully functional. Original cables and plugs. Thes...
Brass
1980s Tin Lamp with Floral Print Shade
Located in Marbella, ES
Original table lamp crafted from engraved pewter with a hexagonal base decorated with geometric and architectural motifs of Islamic influence. The piece is complemented by a large pl...
Tin
$2,200
H 21 in Dm 16 in
Elegant Faceted White Opaline Glass and Stained Glass Shade Table or Desk Lamp
By Søholm Stentøj, Dale Tiffany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant faceted white opaline glass and stained glass shade Arts & Crafts table or desk Lamp. Dimensions listed are the overall dimensions of the lamp with the shade.
Opaline Glass, Stained Glass
Muller Freres Art Deco Table Lamp with Frosted Glass Shade, France
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco French table lamp featuring a frosted translucent flower-form shade molded in repousse patterns supported by four applied geometric metal ornaments supported on a tapered me...
Metal
Pair of gilt brass and bronze bottle-shaped lamps, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt brass and bronze bottle-shaped lamps with Etruscan style handles, standing on a Chinese style circular openwork base. The belly is decorated with a discreet fluted friez...
Ormolu, Sheet Metal
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
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