William IV Antique Furniture

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( Above Photo: William IV Bookcase in Rosewood Open Front 19th Century Antique )

Soon after the death of King George IV, which marked the end of the Regency period, William IV ascended to the throne of England. Unlike his predecessors, William IV was least interested in the arts and even gave away some of the artifacts accumulated by his predecessors. Instead of living in Buckingham Palace, the king chose a less opulent life.

Even though a furniture style is associated with William IV, it wasn’t as distinct as that from the Georgian or Regency period. Therefore, William IV antique furniture tended to borrow heavily from previous periods. Part of that was because William IV ruled over England from 1830 to 1837, only seven years.

Features of William IV Furniture

( Above Photo: William IV Stretcher Table - Antique Rosewood Hall Tables )

Between 1830 and 1837, there was the move to revive furniture styles, including gothic and rococo. There was also an extension of the Regency furniture style whose era had just ended. Therefore, Willian IV antique furniture has a mixture of features, making them eclectic rather than just one style. The following are some of the features you might want to consider:

1. Wood and Materials

( Above Photo: William IV Centre Table Round Dining Rosewood Tables )

Like the Georgian period, the William IV period came when the British government had established colonies globally and could import exotic woods, including mahogany, ebony, and zebrawood. Before he became king, William himself had served as a naval officer in some British territories overseas.

Therefore, during the William IV era, designers preferred the reddish color of mahogany for most of their products. Apart from looking great, furniture made from mahogany is durable and long-lasting. It had been one of the most popular woods during the Regency and Georgian period, so it’s not surprising that it made it to William IV’s era.

Ebony was a preferred material because of its uniquely dark color, creating the perfect background for the inclusion of gilded or metallic embellishments. Those who couldn’t afford ebony would tarnish other woods to a dark color before polishing and using them to make furniture.

2. Motifs and Emblems

Like any other furniture made in the 1800s, William IV antique furniture has unique emblems and motifs. Furniture would carve into the wood symbols like crowds, lions, trophies, laurel leaves, and mythological creatures. Apart from carvings into other parts of the furniture, the legs and feet had carvings in the form of lions’ paws, spades, and clubs. Most of these features had appeared previously in Chippendale furniture, which had existed during the Georgian era.

3. Legs and Feet

Willian IV antique furniture is likely to have cabriole legs borrowed from Chippendale designs. The legs might have outward curving knees, depending on whether they are on tables or chairs. When the knee curves outward, the ankle tends to curve inward. Due to the lack of a unique furniture style during the William IV period, furniture with these features is likely from earlier.

When it comes to the feet, William IV furniture had mainly square feet, with modifications, depending on the furniture style it sought to recreate. The square feet were called Marlborough feet and had varied finishing, including lion’s paws, spades, and clubs. Like Regency furniture, these were intricately carved by hand.

4. Embellishment, Carvings, and Paintings

(Above photo - William IV Antique Furniture Dining Table )

William IV antique furniture came immediately after the Regency period, in which the emphasis had been on extensive embellishment on furniture with simpler surfaces. Typically, cabinets, side tables, and sideboards would have gilded or brass accents against black wood. That created a contrast, making the furniture stand out.

During the William IV era, designers made furniture with wood carvings just like it had been during the Georgian and Regency periods. A mix of intricate wood carvings and minimalistic decorations borrowed from Regency furniture.

Apart from embellishments and carvings, William IV antique furniture was also painted. This practice was carried over from the Georgian period when utilizing Japanese lacquer was common. Designers would paint whole or part of the furniture to create a unique, contrasting look.

Decorating with William IV Antique Furniture

(Above photo - William IV Period Desk or Writing Table )

Decorating with William IV antique furniture allows you to make a statement by making it stand out from the rest of the elements in the room. For example, if you have a unique furniture piece from the William IV era, you can turn it into a centerpiece. While at it, you must ensure that the centerpiece blends in well with the rest of the interior décor elements in the room.

Another great method is to combine antique pieces with contemporary décor elements. You can create a unique home design that has evolved with time. For example, you can use an antique dressing table in a bedroom full of newer furniture pieces and patterned rugs.

Alternatively, you can use antique furniture as accent pieces whose purpose is to make a statement. For example, you can pick an antique trunk from the William IV period and turn it into a coffee table. The trunk can blend in when the space has a mix of traditional and modern lines. If you have a dark-colored trunk, make it stand out by contrasting it with light-colored chairs.

Finally, one of the best ways of decorating with antique furniture is to create a contrast between the new and the old. For example, you can pair a William IV dining table with newer chairs. That unexpected juxtaposition creates a unique focal point in your dining room. Apart from the antique dining table and chairs, you can have a cabinet and rug as part of the room’s interior décor.

In Conclusion,

William IV antique furniture is available in various styles, which had been used in the previous eras. For example, there will likely be furniture with Georgian and Regency features. The William IV era marked a transition between the Georgian and Victorian periods and didn’t have major developments in furniture styles. That’s why there are no unique pieces tied to that era. However, you can find a variety of furniture styles designed and produced between 1830 and 1837.