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.
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
Early 19th Century William IV Gilt Convex Mirror Country House Antique
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A good sized early 19th century gesso and gilt convex mirror, in unrestored original condition. With areas of loss, abrasions and scuffs. The original mirror plate has areas of oxidi...
Gesso, Mirror, Pine
Period William IV Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period William IV bull's eye mirror, having a convex mirror with black reeded inner frame surrounded by molded giltwood decorated by four applied cartouches.
Glass, Wood
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Mirror, Wood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A Federal-style giltwood convex mirror crowned with a carved eagle, its wings outstretched above a laurel motif—an enduring symbol drawn from early American design. The circular fra...
Mirror, Giltwood
19thC Regency Style Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Altrincham, GB
19thC Regency Style Giltwood Convex Mirror - with reeded ebonised slip and cavetto ball moulded frame - 22" diam x 2.5"d
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique English Convex Mirror
Located in Nashville, TN
This all original English Regency mirror would be right at home in the interior design styles of today. Fitted with hand-carved spherical knobs in the gold giltwood frame, the mirror...
Mirror
$4,500
H 39.5 in W 22 in D 1.5 in
Giltwood Convex Mirror, 19th Century with Neoclassical Ornamentation
Located in Houston, TX
Urns and foliate carvings adorn this attractive piece.
Giltwood
English Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror with Ebonized Ball Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency giltwood convex mirror from the early 19th century, notable for its classic circular form and bold decorative detailing. The molded frame is adorned with a continu...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
$2,950
H 3.15 in Dm 28.35 in
Early 19th Century Regency/Georgian Giltwood Circular Convex Butler's Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century Regency/Georgian Giltwood Circular Convex Butler's Mirror Circular molded frame made of gilt and partially ebonized wood, decorated with rope-like elements with a...
Mirror, Wood
$2,850
H 22.25 in W 22.25 in D 3 in
English Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror with Ebonized Trim, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English giltwood convex mirror from the 19th century, featuring the distinctive neoclassical design associated with the Regency period. The circular frame is decorated with a seri...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Regency Giltwood And Ebonized Convex Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
2.25 deep. Round with carved gilded frame with outer mirror with mounted paterae. The central convex plate with ebonized reeded ring. From Woody Johnsons Palm Beach home.
Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A large and impressive English Regency period carved giltwood convex mirror with a spread wing eagle perched on a stepped plinth, flanked by scrolling acanthus leaves. The round fram...
Mirror, Giltwood
ANTIQUE 1920's CONVEX GOLD GILTWOOD BEVELLED MIRROR
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Antique Convex Mirror With A Gold Frame. A luxurious and captivating piece that exudes elegance and grandeur. The convex shape of the mirr...
Mirror
Early 19th Century American Giltwood Convex Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal convex girandole mirror of monumental size. Giltwood with original gilding and mirror. New York.
Giltwood
Antique Large Gilt Convex Mirror
Located in Sherborne, GB
Antique English Regency convex mirror of country house proportions circa 1815 with slightly worn through gilding, retaining its original mercury mirror glass with has a slightly crac...
Gold Leaf
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A Federal-style giltwood convex mirror crowned with a carved eagle, its wings outstretched above a laurel motif—an enduring symbol drawn from early American design. The circular fra...
Mirror, Giltwood
Late Regency Period Gilt Convex Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A bold and restrained late Regency English convex mirror. Retaining its original ebony slip and plate and in a very mellow original gilding. The decoration of stylised vines is app...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 22.05 in
English William the IV 1830 Giltwood Convex Mirror Provenance David Gibbons
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A decorative giltwood convex mirror with typical 1830s motifs, the mirror plate and ebonized reeded slip are in excellent condition, the gesso gilt work has some minor loses. Of good proportion and color, the mirror also comes with an early 1990s antique catalogue...
Mirror, Giltwood