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
$1,039Sale Price|20% Off
W1V Period Mahogany Cheval Mirror
Located in Dereham, GB
W1V Period Mahogany Cheval Mirror Mahogany Framed swing mirror, Pair Octagonal Mahogany supports with carved Tulip capitals, Platform base, 4 mahogany scroll carved feet with inset b...
Mahogany
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
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
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
A Fabulous Unusual Early 19th Century William IV Giltwood Compartmental Mirror
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous and unusual early 19th Century William IV giltwood compartmental mirror, finely hand carved, of lovely quality and low and wide proportions. The moulded and fluted giltwo...
Glass, Giltwood
19th Century William IV Giltwood Cushion Mirror, Neoclassical Design
Located in Lincoln, GB
Fine William IV Giltwood Cushion Mirror This striking wall mirror features a deep, cushion-profile frame of impressive architectural presence. The primary molding is richly decorated...
Giltwood
Regency William IV Cheval Mirror in original condition
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Beautiful antique mahogany cheval mirror. In completely original condition. The mirror is still the original one, which means it is less clear. The mirror is tiltable. Standing on be...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Mirror
Located in New York, NY
The beveled rectangular mirror plate within a conforming solid mahogany frame, boldly carved with dentil banding. Handsome piece.
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century William IV Century Cheval Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century William IV century cheval mirror. The reeded frame flanked by candleholders.
Early 19th Century William IV Large Overmantel Mirror with Gilt Frame
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century William IV Large Overmantel mirror with gilt frame. Featuring fluted column detail, a carved scroll and shell crest, as well as acanthus leaf motif. Circa 1840.
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century William IV English Large Rectangular Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century William IV English large rectangular ornamental mirror. The sides and upper edge within half columns with lotus and acanthus carving, with interlinked acanthus leaf cres...
Mirror, Giltwood
English, William IV Large Rectangular Mahogany Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
This is a majestic structural mahogany William the IV mirror, 1830s. The symmetry of the mirror allows it to stand alone, over a mantel or in a landscape position. The original glass shows barely noticeable signs of foxing adding character to the overall look of the mirror. The mirror is framed with elegant carved wood monumental columns and round reliefs...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Overmantel Mirror with Elliptical Panels
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century overmantel mirror with elliptical panels crested with a floral and foliate motif. The side panels, with elliptical insert design, are flanked on either side by fluted and garlanded neo-classical style pillars topped...
Mirror, Giltwood
Large W1V Mahogany Dressing Mirror 1830s
Located in Dereham, GB
Large William IV Period Mahogany Dressing Mirror 1830-1837 Swing Mirror, Pair Carved Shaped Supports, Sitting on 2 drawer base, shaped carved feet Recently Polished
Mahogany
English William IV Large Carved Giltwood Over-Mantel Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
English William IV large carved giltwood horizontal (over-mantel (fireplace)) wall mirror with swirl carved column border.
Giltwood
English Antique Fireplace Mirror Gilded Overmantel
Located in High Peak, GB
K0661 A highly attractive and well-proportioned Regency giltwood overmantel mirror. This fine quality antique mirror features an imposing gilded frame flanked by elegant half-columns...
Gesso, Giltwood
Early 19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Cheval Dressing Mirror
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Superb Quality and Highly Impressive Early 19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Cheval Dressing Mirror, Attributed to Gillows This outstanding country house cheval mirror is cr...
Mahogany
William IV Overmantel Mirror
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine William IV rose and giltwood overmantel mirror of severe architectural form, the arched frame of nicely figured timber and having an ogee molded liner with original water gildin...
Rosewood
A Very Fine Early 19th Century William IV Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th Century William IV giltwood overmantel mirror of exceptional quality and large proportions. The mirror glass plate of rectangular form is set within an elegan...
Glass, Giltwood
Antique English 19th Century Mahogany Freestanding Full Length Floor Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique English William IV Mahogany Framed Freestanding Full Length Mirror C.1830 With turned columns on claw supports and marble base. Handsome example, presented in very good condi...
Mirror, Mahogany
A Very Rare Early 19th Century WillIam IV Giltwood Pier Mirror
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare early 19th Century William IV giltwood pier mirror finely hand carved and of exceptional quality. The moulde...
Glass, Giltwood
Very Fine Early 19th Century Irish William IV Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th century Irish William IV giltwood overmantle mirror. The mirror glass plate of rectangular form is set within an elegantly shaped and moulded giltwood frame, a...
Glass, Giltwood
19th Century William IV Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century William IV giltwood overmantle mirror. The original mirrored plate surrounded by an ebonized reeded border that sits within a carved gilded frame. Below the pediment, a ...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of English Brass Foliage Two Arm Mirrored Sconces, circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English brass mirrored foliage sconces with two scrolled arms, medallions, graduated bell flowers, and acanthus motif. Pair have been elec...
Brass
Antique William IV Period Birds Eye Maple Over Mantle Mirror
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous original antique William IV period birds eye maple over mantle mirror. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1850’s. It is beautifully made, with a very...
Mirror, Birdseye Maple
$711Sale Price|20% Off
W1v Period Mahogany Circular Adjustable Dressing Mirror
Located in Dereham, GB
W1V Period Mahogany circular adjustable Dressing Mirror William 1V period 1830-1837 Replaced mirror glass, with Circular moulded frame, carved scroll detailed surround, Brass Adjust...
Mahogany
English Nineteenth Century Gilded Overmantle Mirror
Located in London, GB
A boldly carved William IV Gilt Overmantle Mirror. Provenance, Kentwell Hall, Suffolk, UK, with original gilt surface and delicately foxed plate, the frame with bold acanthus clasps ...
Giltwood
19th Century William IV Giltwood Occasional Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century William IV giltwood occasional mirror with original glass and a shell to frieze flanked by a pair of lion masks. With stepped cornice to top featuring a row of acorns, a...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Three Compartmental Overmantle Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century three compartmental overmantle mirror. The mirror with three carved columns with detailed foliage design at the top edges.
Mirror, Giltwood