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.
Antique 19th Century 16ft Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table & 16 chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany dining table, Circa 1810 in date, and a beautiful set of sixteen antique balloon back dining chairs Cir...
Brass
Antique 15ft William IV Cuban Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1810 in date. This amazing table can seat sixteen people in comfort and has been hand-crafted from beau...
Brass
Antique Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table 19th C & 10 Swag Back Chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany and crossbanded extending dining table, dating from Circa 1835, and a set of Vintage swag back dining c...
Mahogany
English c. 1835 Coromandel Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 English coromandel jewelry box. "Secret" release tray in base. Bramah type lock. Brass engraving shield, no monogram. Fine quality interior brass engraved mounts and hardw...
Wood
Antique William IV Style Mahogany Oval Dining Table w/Turned Legs & Casters
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous 19th Century antique William IV style oval dining table composed of a mahogany frame with straight turned legs w/hand carved details, a burled apron, & brass rings over...
Brass
Antique Correspondence Box, Irish, Walnut, Writing Slope, Austin, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ladies correspondence box. An Irish, walnut and brass writing slope case, dating to the William IV, circa 1833. A desirable, qual...
Brass
Antique 14 ft 6" William IV Extending Dining Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent antique William IV mahogany dining table which can seat sixteen diners in comfort, Circa 1835 in date. This beautiful table is in stunning flame mahogany and...
Mahogany
Antique 14ft6" William IV Dining Table 19th Century & 16 Balloon back chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic dining set comprising of an antique William IV dining table, Circa 1835 in date, with a set of sixteen Vintage balloon back dining chairs This beautiful table...
Mahogany
English William IV Giltwood Convex Mirrors of Unusual Form, Pair, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and exceptional pair of circa 1830, English regency, late George IV, early William IV period convex mirrors having carved frames in original gilding of unusual thickly exagger...
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
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
Antique Set 8 English William IV Bar Back Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic set of eight antique English William IV flame mahogany bar back dining chairs, dating from circa 1830. The set comprising a pair of armchairs with over scrolled...
Leather, Mahogany
19th century William IV carved mahogany chaise longue
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century William IV carved mahogany chaise longue circa 1835. Fine quality late William IV chaise longue, one of the most elegant you will find of it's type. Profusely hand car...
Fabric, Mahogany
A Very Fine Early 19th Century William IV Davenport after 'Strahan' of Dublin
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th Century William IV well figured walnut davenport desk of exceptional quality and in the manner of 'Strahan of Dublin'. This stunning piece is beautifully hand...
Brass
$5,867
Large Mahogany Bookcase
Located in London, England
Two door bookcase with glazed arched top doors on cupboard base in mahogany (replaced cornice). U.K circa 1830.
Mahogany
$3,253Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Hall Table, Scottish, Console, Side, Buffet Server, William IV, C.1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique hall table. A Scottish, mahogany console, side table or buffet server, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Superb example of Scottish craftsmanship, wit...
Wood
$631Sale Price|51% Off
Masons Ironstone large Punch Bowl in Curled Leaf & Flower Basket ptn, circa 1838
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Large twin Handled open Punch Bowl made by Mason's Ironstone in a beautiful pattern called: Curled Leaf and flower Basket, made in the early 19th century, William 1Vth peri...
Ironstone
Large 19th Century Giltwood Faux Bois Overmantel Mirror with Original Mercury Gl
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Large Naturalistic Faux Bois Giltwood Overmantle Mirror. Excellent original clean mirror plate, sparkling mercury glass comes alive once it catches the light. Super statement mirror....
Giltwood
William IV Mahogany Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV mahogany games table, circa 1830. With a D shaped folding mahogany top, a frieze with scroll and leaf form designed ends, a ring turned and bulbous shaped pedestal, restin...
Mahogany
Antique Victorian William IV Mahogany Tooled Leather Writing Table Desk Console
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional early 19th Century William IV Writing Table. Features a rectangular form with green tooled leather inset top over a frieze of two false drawers. Along the right side...
Leather, Mahogany
William IV Style Rosewood and Kingwood Marquetry And Parquetry Bedstead, C 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
Exquisite William IV Style bedstead in solid rosewood and kingwood with amazing Marquetry And Parquetry work. On wheels Full size Bedstead. Measures 61inches in width, 84 inches long. Headboard is 65" high, footboard is 39" high. These are outside dimensions. Fit regular full size bed mattress...
Kingwood, Rosewood
English Mahogany Triple Pedestal Dining Room Table with Orig. Paw Casters C 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany triple pedestal dining room table with three central fluted urn ringed pedestals, splayed reeded saber legs, and resting on the original lio...
Brass
Antique William IV Gonçalo Alves Writing Table Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique William IV Gonçalo Alves, writing table, circa 1830 in date. The rectangular top features an inset gilt tooled green leather writing surface above a pair of fri...
Brass
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Tea Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV quality figured mahogany tea table having a quality figured mahogany fold over top opening to reveal a polished figured mahogany inside, carved mahogany frieze sup...
Other
William IV Extending 15 Foot Dining Table & 16 Late 20th Century Chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising a large antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1830 in date and a set of sixteen Vintage balloon back dining chairs. Th...
Mahogany
19th Century English William IV Fruitwood Writing Table or Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century English William IV writing table or desk crafted from mixed fruitwood and oak. The table has storage drawers on each end with patinated brass pulls. The top has...
Brass
English Bowfront Chest of Drawers
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C line decorated bowfront oak chest of drawers with turned columns. 1830
Oak
$422Sale Price|37% Off
Mason's Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Rare Shape with Serpent Handle, circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative fairly large & well hand painted, Jug or Pitcher made by Mason's Ironstone pottery, circa 1830. It has a rare shape and pattern. A jug of the same sha...
Ironstone
Antique Anglo Indian Teak Console Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined 19th century William IV Anglo Indian console table handcrafted in teak wood featuring a top with a beaded edge and floral carved skirt sup...
Teak
$5,750
Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Georgian period mahogany and crossbanded Pembroke table. Crossbanded and string inlaid top and rounded twin flaps above a single drawer with crossbandin...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...
Silver
A Very Fine Early 19th Century Irish William IV Double Ended Sofa
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th Century Irish William IV well figured mahogany framed double ended sofa. This superb piece is beautifully hand carved with rich patination, grain and is newly...
Brass
$4,089 / item
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...
Leather
$12,563Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Drawing Room Sofa, English, Large 2 Seat Settee, Show Frame, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large drawing room sofa. An English, mahogany two seat settee with show frame, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Exquisite upholstery complements the striking ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pair of early 19th C. English late Regency or William IV mahogany hall chairs with shaped backs and solid seats, each centered by a hand-painted family crest. The backs feature scr...
Mahogany
Antique English Library Steps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English library stairs crafted in mahogany with three tooled red leather steps, two flip top storage compartments, a pull out drawer and turned legs.
Leather, Mahogany
English Nautical Yacht Cabin Lantern, Stamped Best and Lloyd, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English polished steel nautical yacht cabin lantern with wooden carrying handle, vented chimney, three glass panels, porcelain back, and original oil bu...
Metal
19th Century English Country House Gothic Wardrobe
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful 19th century English oak country house gothic wardrobe with carved detail on the outside and a good fitted interior. 1830. Code: 8754 Dimensions: W: 83.5" (212.1 cm) H: 8...
Oak
Mid 19th century writing table with folio stand
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century writing table with folio stand circa 1860. We are pleased to offer this unusual English occasional writing table. Beautifully veneered in flame mahogany, rectangul...
Mahogany
Large 19th Century William IV Period Burr Walnut Low Open Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Stunning Quality Large 19th-Century Burr Walnut Low Open Bookcase A superb William IV period burr walnut low open library bookcase of impressive scale and exceptional quality, Eng...
Walnut
19th-C. English William IV Flame Mahogany And Satinwood Scottish Chest
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a beautiful 19th century William IV flame mahogany Scotch or Scottish chest. It is most likely from Northern England or Scotland. The swan for hardware, veneer style and colu...
Brass
Torchère Pedestal Stand of Turned Mahogany from England (H 57)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English torchère (torchière) or column pedestal stand of mahogany - in the William IV style - featuring a moulded round top for candles or plants, turned column support, and r...
Wood, Mahogany
English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful early 19th century English painted breakfront bookcase. Good carved decoration and astragal glazing. Fitted with adjustable shelving. 1830. Code: 8693 Dimensions: W: 81.5...
Oak, Pine
William IV Mahogany Library Table/Desk with Green Leather Inset Writing Surface
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Rectangular mahogany library table fitted with two frieze drawers with turned wooden knobs, the top inset with green tooled leather with a gilt-bordered floral vine decoration. The m...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique William IV Leather and Walnut Wing Back Armchair
Located in London, GB
An exceptional antique William IV Leather and Walnut wing back armchair. This is possibly Irish or English, it dates from around the 1820-1840 period. We have said this is walnut, bu...
Leather, Walnut
Antique William IV Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A large early 19th century surround in "Old English" Carrara marble. Having a generous and moulded mantel, with a plain frieze. The brackets with carved guilloche in a fielded panel,...
Carrara Marble
Mason's Ironstone Garniture of Three Vases, Circa 1835
Located in Downingtown, PA
Regency Opulence: Mason's Ironstone Garniture Vases Object: Garniture of Three Vases (One central, two flanking) Manufacturer: Mason's Ironstone China, Staffordshire, England Date: ...
Pottery, Ironstone
William IV Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded corners over a drawer flanked bu carved Vitruvian scrolls. Trestle base with stretcher and ending on melon form feet. Floor to underside 24.75.
Rosewood
William IV Oak Leather Upholstered Desk or Club Chair on Casters
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good quality English William IV period leather upholstered oak armchair, the curved button tufted back with wide arms and carved details over an ample seat, resting on reeded legs ...
Leather, Oak
19th Century Burr Walnut Double Hinged Writing Slope with Brass Edges and Inlay
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Brass bound and inlaid burled walnut travel desk of large size and with double hinges. The first section lifts to a vertical position with document storage in the lid, the second sec...
Brass
1830s 7 Pcs William IV Brass and Steel Fireplace Tools on Marble Stand Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A set William IV brass and steel Fireplace tools on marble stand, Set of 7, Circa. 1830s Set consist of a Tong, a poker, a shovel, two brass toasting forks...
Marble, Brass, Steel, Iron
William IV Rosewood Tea Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV Rosewood Tea Table with fold over top above frieze decorated with foliate scroll carvings, facetted bulbous baluster column, pedestal base and scroll legs on porcelain cas...
Rosewood
Antique William IV Silver Claret Jug Wine Ewer Pitcher London London 1837
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Sterling Silver Claret Jug with an elegant chased design covering its exterior. The William IV Jug is embellished with stylised floral, foliate and scroll designs...
Sterling Silver
$3,380Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Embroidered Fire Screen, English, Walnut, Needlepoint, Early Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique embroidered fire screen. An English, walnut and glazed needlepoint reflector panel, dating to the early Victorian period, ci...
Glass, Walnut
Mother of Pearl Inlaid William IV Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine William IV tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay in rosewood ground, the overall sarcophagus form, having palm fronds and folia...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
William IV Davenport Desk Period Antique 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A fine William IV mahogany Davenport desk of typical form, combining elegant design with practical functionality Raised on bun feet and a plinth base, the piece features carved and s...
Mahogany
English Antique William IV Mahogany Side Table Lamp Table
Located in High Peak, GB
K0654 Very elegant English William IV occasional table, having a single piece of timber top in figured mahogany above a shallow frieze enclosing an oak lined cockbeaded drawer with a...
Mahogany
Antique William IV Quality Rosewood Work / Lamp Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine William IV rosewood work table of elegant proportions beautifully crafted and richly figured throughout. The rectangular top features drop-leaf sides that extend the surface a...
Rosewood
Antique Carved White Statuary Marble Fireplace
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
The fireplace features beautifully carved corbels set on canted jambs, scrolled and carved with floral detail at the bottom. The deep shelf is serpentine s...
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
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...
Other