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William IV Historical Memorabilia

WILLIAM IV STYLE

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.

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Style: William IV
Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon
By Nathaniel Palmer
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and impressive pair of relief portrait busts in copper depicting portrait busts of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) on the left, and Napoleon Bona...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon
Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon

Large Pair of Signed 19th Century Relief Portrait Busts of Wellington & Napoleon

Early 19th Century Golden Oak Hall Chairs, from Cawston Hall Livery Room
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th century golden oak hall chairs, from Cawston Hall Livery Room. These are a delightful hall chairs, the superbly carved backs are...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century Golden Oak Hall Chairs, from Cawston Hall Livery Room
Early 19th Century Golden Oak Hall Chairs, from Cawston Hall Livery Room

Early 19th Century Golden Oak Hall Chairs, from Cawston Hall Livery Room

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Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts
Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts

Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts

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Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Hall Chairs
Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Hall Chairs

Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Hall Chairs

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Pair of Obelisks, Red Serpentine, Cornwall England 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
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19th Century English Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Serpentine

Pair of Obelisks, Red Serpentine, Cornwall England 19th Century
Pair of Obelisks, Red Serpentine, Cornwall England 19th Century

Pair of Obelisks, Red Serpentine, Cornwall England 19th Century

H 11.42 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.
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19th Century English Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Gesso

Pair of 19th Century Busts
Pair of 19th Century Busts

Pair of 19th Century Busts

H 27.17 in W 24.41 in D 11.03 in
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 19th century, parabolic reflectors such as these were employed in scientific experiments to study the behavior of light, heat, and sound. These brass parabolic mirrors, when p...
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19th Century American Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Brass

Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors

Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors

H 35.75 in W 16 in D 12 in
A Carrier, Bronze Bust Of A Woman, Signed, 19th Century
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze bust representing a bust of a young woman whose dress and hair are studded with flowers The bust rests on a bronze and red marble pedestal base Signature of the ar...
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19th Century French Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Marble, Bronze

A Carrier, Bronze Bust Of A Woman, Signed, 19th Century
A Carrier, Bronze Bust Of A Woman, Signed, 19th Century

A Carrier, Bronze Bust Of A Woman, Signed, 19th Century

H 20.48 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in
Large Signed 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century Grand Tour bronze sculpture of Narcissus after the original found in 1862 at Pompeii. Signed "Bucciano Napoli". When first found in Pompeii it was identified as Na...
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19th Century Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Bronze

Large Signed 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Large Signed 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus

Large Signed 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus

H 24 in W 10 in D 9 in
Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Dallas, TX
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Late 19th Century French Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Terracotta

Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin
Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin

Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin

H 9.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
French 19th Century Restauration Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century restauration dining room chairs.
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Early 19th Century French Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Restauration Dining Room Chairs
French 19th Century Restauration Dining Room Chairs

French 19th Century Restauration Dining Room Chairs

H 33.5 in W 17.75 in D 18.25 in
Terracotta Bust Signed Lavergne, 19th Century
By Adolphe-Jean Lavergne
Located in Paris, FR
Terracotta bust by the French artist Adolphe-Jean Lavergne (1852-1901), signed. 19th century.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Terracotta

Terracotta Bust Signed Lavergne, 19th Century
Terracotta Bust Signed Lavergne, 19th Century

Terracotta Bust Signed Lavergne, 19th Century

H 21.46 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze Relief Plaque of the Nativity
Located in Firenze, IT
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze Relief Plaque of the Nativity
19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze Relief Plaque of the Nativity

19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze Relief Plaque of the Nativity

H 5.52 in W 3.94 in D 0.4 in
F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed
By Friedrich Goldscheider
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
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Early 20th Century European William IV Historical Memorabilia

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F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed
F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed

F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed

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Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box, Birmingham 1836, Engraved
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box, Birmingham 1836, Engraved

Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box, Birmingham 1836, Engraved

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1836 Hand Written Memorandum of Epitaphs, Recipes, Potions & Comical Stories
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Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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Paper

1836 Hand Written Memorandum of Epitaphs, Recipes, Potions & Comical Stories
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1833 a Collection of Eight Lithographs "Residence In The Arctic Regions"
Located in Lowestoft, GB
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Early 19th Century Antarctican Antique William IV Historical Memorabilia

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1833 a Collection of Eight Lithographs "Residence In The Arctic Regions"
1833 a Collection of Eight Lithographs "Residence In The Arctic Regions"

1833 a Collection of Eight Lithographs "Residence In The Arctic Regions"

H 9.26 in W 8.86 in D 0.4 in

William Iv historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique William IV historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, copper and other materials. If you’re shopping for used William IV historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,301 and tops out at $4,500 while the average work can sell for $1,753.

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