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.
Portrait of a Handsome Regency Gentleman in Giltwood Frame
By Thomas Lawrence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A handsome Regency or early Victorian blue-eyed gentleman from the school of Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830). The fashionably dressed young man sports a frock coat with a high collar...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Pair of John Gould Hand Colored Framed Lithographs Family of Toucans, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of John Gould hand colored framed lithographs family of toucans. "Pteroglossus Inscriptus" and " Pteroglossus Hypoglaurus" Each signed in plate. Printed by Charles Hullmandell. ...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Original Antique 19th Century Oil Painting Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Oil on canvas, portrait of an aristocratic lady. The woman is sitting in a red armchair with a quiet gaze wearing embroidered trim dress with white lace...
Giltwood, Canvas
English Oil on Canvas Horse Portrait in Burl Walnut Gilt Frame, Signed. C. 1866
Located in Charleston, SC
English oil on canvas horse portrait in burl walnut giltwood and beaded molded edge frame. Signed & Dated by Artist "J. Brown Coventry 1866"
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Group of Three Framed Antique Watercolors of Birds, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty group of three 19th Century watercolors on paper of exotic birds including parrots and a toucan executed in a naturalist style, signed E A Roper, dated 1833 to 1845 and present...
Paint
$867Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 15.36 in D 0.6 in
Pair Of Antique Bird Paintings, English, Framed Silk Art, Ornithology, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique bird paintings. An English, framed silk art, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Wonderful ornithologica...
Silk
Portrait of a Handsome Gentleman by James Northcote (1746-1831)
Located in Essex, MA
A beautiful oil on canvas of an American or English statesman. Holding a scroll which reads "Petition Against the British Tax on (last word illegible)". In a Period Early American Portrait...
Canvas
Georgian Original Framed Silhouette Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and very finely produced antique Georgian original framed silhouette portrait of a gentleman dating from the 18th century. The portrait mounted in a thick carved wooden fr...
Glass, Hardwood
$140
H 11.62 in W 9.65 in D 0.79 in
Three black-caped lories. Watercolour or watercolor, framed. 20th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Three tricolor lorises. Framed watercolor. Twentieth century. Framed watercolor painting showing three birds perched on branches. The tricolor lory (Lorius lory), or black-naped lor...
Other
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
H 59 in W 35 in D 4 in
Large Antique Chinese Watercolor Landscape Signed Framed
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese mountaneerous landscape painting, large impressive, 35” by 59”, framed in wooden frame under glass. Watercolor with ink and gouache on paper.
Paper
$3,950
H 30.5 in W 36.5 in D 0.5 in
Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Setter or Golden Retriever Signed Clarence E. Braley
Located in Stamford, CT
Oil on canvas portrait of a setter or golden retriever signed Clarence E. Braley, a Massachusetts artist (1854-1927).
Canvas
Diminutive Dutch Portrait In Gilt Wood Frame. Very Stately, Handsome.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Diminutive Dutch Portrait In Gilt Wood Frame. Very Stately, Handsome. I also have shown other portraits from our collection.
Canvas
$3,950
H 36 in W 30.25 in D 1.25 in
American Folk Art Portrait of A Handsome Young Man In Mahogany Frame Circa 1830s
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a very handsome American folk art portrait circa 1830's. This oil on canvas portrait of a young man, painted in rich, moody tones, leaves you to wonder his thoughts, The sitt...
Paint, Canvas
Oil on Canvas, Orientalist Scene, Signed Louis Saphier
Located in Houston, TX
Oil on canvas, orientalist scene, signed Louis Saphier. This lovely painting was executed around 1920. Louis Saphier was active and lived in both New Yor...
Canvas, Wood
Framed Japanese Watercolor Painting of Bird on Flowering Branch
Located in Yonkers, NY
This delicate Japanese painting on paper captures a bright yellow bird perched among flowering branches in full bloom. Executed in watercolor with expressive brushwork and fluid ink ...
Glass, Paper
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
H 37 in W 32 in D 2.25 in
18th century Portrait of Lady Oil on Canvas in Giltwood Frame
Located in Savannah, GA
English oil on canvas portrait dating from the late 1700s painted in the manor of Joshua Reynolds. We believe the giltwood frame could be the original as it is right for the period. ...
Canvas, Wood
$1,151 / set
H 14.25 in W 16.25 in D 14.25 in
Antique Still Life Fruits Oil on Canvas English Oil Painting Giltwood Frame
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality example of an elaborately framed English Still Life of fruits Oil Painting on canvas, in the style of Oliver Clare or Eloise Harriet Stannard, second qu...
Canvas, Giltwood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 14.57 in D 1.19 in
Antique William IV Botanical Study Of A Red Dahlia Original Watercolour Painting
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE FLOWER PAINTING An original watercolour study of a red flower, probably a red dahlia both front and rear with its foliage below. Uns...
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2.13 in D 0.25 in
Continental Portrait Miniature of a Young Girl with Tableau Locket Frame
Located in Downingtown, PA
Continental Portrait Miniature of a young girl with Tableau Locket Frame, 19th century The rectangular-form watercolor portrait miniature is painted...
Other
19th Century English Oil on Canvas of Whippet in a Landscape
Located in Dallas, TX
A realistically painted oil on canvas of a Whippet standing in a landscape. As found. Image measures: 12" H x 16" W
Canvas, Wood
Miniature Portrait of a Lady in a Engine Turned Gutta-Percha Frame
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature portrait of a lady delicately hand painted on ivory in an engine turned style gutta-percha frame. On the back the original hand ...
Brass