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William IV Armchairs

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
Unusual Antique Quality William IV Leather and Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique quality William IV leather and mahogany library chair having a newly reupholstered seat and back in a quality chestnut colour leather, shaped open arms with turned su...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Other

William IV Mahogany & Leather Library Chair
Located in London, GB
An English, William IV mahogany library chair, with fluted legs and anthemion decoration. It has been upholstered in green leather, with buff leather buttoning.
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

William IV Velvet Scroll Arm Library Slipper Chair In The Manner of Gillows
Located in Reading, Berkshire
William IV Scroll Arm Button Back Library Slipper Armchair With Purple Velvet Button Back Upholstery upon Porcelain & Brass Castors In The Manner of Gillows Extra dimensions Depth o...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An outstanding pair of antique William IV period armchairs. They were made in England, they date from around the 1830-40’s. They are of superb quality and are a lovely, compact size...
Category

1830s British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

William IV Polished Antique Brown Leather Chesterfield Library Chair On Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A British 1830's William IV polished antique brown leather chesterfield backed mahogany library armchair with brass stud detailing on brass castors. .
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Fine Quality William IV Mahogany Button Back Chair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A fine quality William IV mahogany button back chair This is a superbly comfortable arm chair, it has a curved deeply buttoned back, the chair is...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

A Rare Pair of William IV Period Giltwood Armchairs in Red Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A Stately Pair of William IV Period Giltwood Armchairs Of important size and carved with confidence, the pair of chairs on castor-shod turned front legs with stylised foliate design...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs. The chairs have a solid walnut frame and tufted leather upholstery. The chairs have a nice ...
Category

1950s English Vintage William IV Armchairs

Materials

Walnut, Leather

William IV Carved Mahogany Library Armchair with Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in London, GB
Constructed in mahogany, rising from caster shod scrolled toe cabriole legs to the front and rear, the knees carved with addorsed 'C' scrolls, dressed with pendant foliates, the seat...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

William IV Mahogany Barber's or Dentist's Chair, England, circa 1830
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mahogany barber's or dentist's chair with single back splat and two smaller side splats with heart shape cut-outs and hand woven cane seat. The sturdy scrolling arms curving around, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany, Cane

Library reading chair with carved swan head detail W1V period
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
William 1V period Mahogany & leather library reading chair Recently covered in leather & coloured to chestnut, brass studded detail Fine pair Mahogany carved Swan Heads elbows Sc...
Category

1830s Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

HUGE ORNATELY CARVED ANTiQUE FULLY RESTORED CHESTERFIELD KING / QUEENS ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, custom made to order, fully restored circa 1900-1920 hand dyed Chesterfield cigar b...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Leather Club Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A leather upholstered club chair, in a vintage cigar brown aniline top-grade leather with a deep upholstered cushion backrest and seat cushion with rollover upholstered arms, finishe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather

PAiR OF GEORGE SMITH WILLIAM IV LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS UNIQUE UPHOLSTERY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of George Smith William IV RRP £16,000 Library armchairs with stunning upholstery Pleas...
Category

20th Century English William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

William IV Armchair
Located in Wilson, NC
William IV armchair with concave crest rail and reeded splat, classically shaped arms, upholstered slip seat, the front tapered legs are turned and reeded ....
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Vintage English William IV Style Button Tufted Leather Swivel Armchair by Baker
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage English William IV Style Mahogany "Brandy" button tufted leather swivel armchair By Baker. Gorgeous vintage English William IV style mah...
Category

Late 20th Century American William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Great set of 8 19th century English Saber Leg Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great set of 8 19th century English mahogany armchairs. All 8 chairs are armchairs and sit very comfortably. Upholstered seats could be redone- currently 4 have one pattern and the o...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV CHESTERFIELD OXBLOOD LEATHER RECLINING ARMCHAiR WRITING SLOPE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored reddish brown leather, period William IV circa 1830 Chesterfield Library reclining...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 CHESTERFIELD TUFTED BARLEY TWIST FRAME LEATHER ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning antique circa 1830 William IV Chesterfield tufted library armchair with faded oxblo...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

"Worrell" by Lee Stanton English Wing Chair in Belgian Linen or Custom Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Worrell by Lee Stanton Editions is an English-style wing chair with tapered wood feet and rolled arms. Upholstered in cream-colored Belgian linen, the chair can also be upholster...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Antique Swedish Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique Swedish armchairs. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1850-1870 period. They are of extremely fine quality, with beautiful...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Restored William IV Reclining Library Reading Brown Leather Armchair Footstool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct William IV circa 1835 mahogany reclining library reading armchair with built in footrest This chair...
Category

1830s British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

RESTORED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV CHESTERFIELD BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAIR + WRITING SLOPE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed Cigar brown leather, period William IV Chesterfield Librar...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 CHESTERFIELD TUFTED WALNUT LIBRARY ARMCHAiR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning antique circa 1830 William IV Chesterfield tufted library armchair with ornately ca...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Antique Restored Leather William IV Hardwood Chesterfield Captains Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, antique, fully restored original mahogany framed circa 1830 hand dyed Chesterfield Bordeaux leather director's chair. Please note t...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

ORIGINAL ANTIQUE ROBERT DAWS HARDWOOD BROWN LEATHER RECLINiNG LIBRARY ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct, fully stamped Robert Daws, William IV circa 1830 Rosewood recl...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

William IV Shaped Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William lV shaped mahogany library chair of generous proportions. Reupholstered in our own workshops in distressed burgundy leather. Raised on turned legs and brass casters.  
Category

Early 18th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany High Back Side or Desk Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A good quality William IV period solid Cuban mahogany high bar back desk armchair having a quality shaped top back rail, with shaped open arms standing on turned tapering legs to the...
Category

19th Century British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

English Mahogany Leather Wing Back Chair With Acanthus Ball & Claw Feet. C .1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany leather wing back chair with acanthus carved skirt, knee, and terminating on ball and claw feet. Mid 19th Century
Category

1840s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Elegant Pair of William IV Design Bergere Armchairs With Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Matching Pair of William IV Design Bergere Arm Chairs With Scroll Backs Upholstered in Cream Damask. Perfect For Any Library, Study or Lounge Space. Height to arms 67.5cm H...
Category

20th Century British William IV Armchairs

Materials

Damask

A Large William IV Mahogany Library Chair
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A William IV mahogany library chair of large scale, with scrolling arms and uprights, the front legs carved with tulip motives and terminating in brass castors. ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Antique William IV Leather Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A fine antique William IV leather desk chair. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. It is extremely well made, with a beautifully carved frame. The le...
Category

1830s British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Late 19th Century English Reclining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This English reclining lounge chair is a remarkable example of pre-modern craftsmanship. The chair features a turned mahogany frame that supports a fully adjustable back and a slide-...
Category

19th Century English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Fine Antique 1830 William iv Cockfighting Brown Leather Chair Original Castors
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this important handmade made in England circa 1830 William IV Cockfighting armchair. This really is an exquisite armchair, it is pure art furni...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Irish Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century William IV Period Mahogany & Leather Library Armchair, circa 1835
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very stylish, high-quality 19th-century William IV period library armchair in mahogany and buttoned leather. Circa 1835 and in lovely original condition. This attractive library ar...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

PAIR OF EXQUISITE ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV FLAMED HARDWOOD CIRCA 1830 CLUB ARMCHAIRs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, recently reupholstered pair of rare circa 1830 William IV club armchairs with sublime Flamed ...
Category

1830s English Antique William IV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

William Iv armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique William IV armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used William IV armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Chesterfield, Baker Furniture Company, and George Smith. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $22,000 while the average work can sell for $5,051.

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