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.
William IV Design Polished Mahogany Armchair With Cream Damask Floral Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant William IV Designed Polished Mahogany Armchair With Cream Damask Floral Upholstery A modern take on a beautiful antique chair, well made, comfortable with wonderful wood ton...
Damask, Mahogany
Rare William IV Leather Reclining Bergere Library Chair On Original Brass Castor
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant William IV Brown Leather Button Back Mahogany Reclining Adjustable Library Chair, On Original Brass Castors, With A Studded Brass Border. In The Style Of Gillows. Heig...
Brass
William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms on Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stylish William IV 1700's Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms and Original Brass Castors on Fluted Supports. Chair comes with a new brown leather piped cushion...
Brass
$15,511Sale Price / item|20% Off
A Pair of Antique William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere & Leather Library Armchairs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant Pair of William IV Regency Hardwood Cane Bergere & Antique Brown Leather Library Armchairs With Scrolled Arms on Brass Castors Chairs are a near pair slightly differing Bu...
Brass
A Nineteenth Century William IV Oak and Leather Library Bergere
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840. A William IV period oak library bergère, the scrolling top rail carved with foliate designs, surmounting ring turned spindles and scrolling arms rests carved wi...
Leather, Oak
19th Century William IV Tub Chair On Brass Castors, Sabre Legs & Chenille Finish
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant 19th Century William IV Tub Chair On Original Brass Castors & Sabre Legs With A Chenille Upholstery. Full chair height 87cm Chair width arm to arm 66cm Chair depth from ...
Brass
$3,947
H 40.56 in W 25.79 in D 27.76 in
Antique Restored Leather William IV Hardwood Chesterfield Captains Armchair
By Chesterfield
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...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,268Sale Price|40% Off
H 38.59 in W 28.35 in D 27.56 in
18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
An English 18th-century carved mahogany library armchair - or bergère - of good rich colour. George III, circa 1780. This antique Sheraton-period armchair, sometimes described as a bergère (bergere) chair, is raised on reeded square tapering legs which merge, headed by a carved rosette panel...
Mahogany
Pair of oak bergere library chairs
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of oak bergere library chairs. The solid oak frame inset with double cane work panels having removable leather cushions. All raised on barley twist supports united by stretcher....
Oak
English Regency Style Caned Bergere With Leather Seat
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Regency style bergere with olive green button tufted seat having turned front legs with brass caps and casters and splayed back legs with brass casters. The bergere with caned sides ...
Brass
19th Century French Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French bergère exudes classic elegance and comfort, making it a timeless statement piece. The carved wood frame, finished in a distressed pale tone, showcases the g...
Wrought Iron
$2,950 / set
H 38.5 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Pair of Antique French Bergère Chairs, Upholstered, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
A pair of French Louis XV style bergeres, featuring expertly hand-carved giltwood frames. The frames boast a rich, aged gold leaf finish with wonderful patina. The arched crest rai...
Giltwood
French Bergere Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Pair of Bergere Chairs are painted creme with gold. The fabric is used with some stains on it.
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Regency Gilt-Painted and Caned Tub Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century French Regency tub chair distills the language of its period with uncommon clarity and confidence. A deep, near-black green ground sets the stage—rich, saturated, a...
Wood, Giltwood
1970s English Library Bergère Recency Caned Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1970s with this exquisite library chairs on castors. The ultra rare chairs exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding ...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Regency Caned Library Chair, c. 1800-1810
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic example of a caned Regency Library Bergere. This chair dates to the early 19th century and retains all of its original elements. We have cleaned and polished the or...
Brass
Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Bronze
French Louis XV Style Caned Bergère Armchair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare early 19th century caned Louis XV bergère armchair in very good condition featuring graceful curves and hand carved. The graceful walnut frame is complimented with caning on all...
Wood
Sold
H 34.26 in W 36.62 in D 33.86 in
A William IV Empire Design Library Armchair Striped Cream Silk Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Classic William IV Empire Design Library Armchairs Striped Cream Upholstery Ideal For Any Library or Lounge Environment. The striped upholstered backs above a loose cushioned seat ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 37.01 in W 23.63 in D 22.05 in
William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms on Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stylish William IV 1700's Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms and Original Brass Castors on Fluted Supports. Additional dimensions: Height to seat 41cm I Heig...
Brass
Sold
H 34.26 in W 36.62 in D 33.86 in
Pair of William IV Empire Design Library Armchairs Striped Cream Silk Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Classic Pair Of William IV Empire Design Library Armchairs Striped Cream Upholstery - Late 20th Century The striped upholstered backs above a loose c...
Upholstery, Wood, Polyester
Sold
H 37.8 in W 23.23 in D 23.63 in
19th Century William IV Mahogany Bergère Armchair with Leather Cushion
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A 19th century William IV mahogany Bergere armchair with curved top rail cane panel back and sides with scroll arm supports. The cane panel seat with the original buttoned green leat...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Painted Cane Work Bergere Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of painted cane work bergere armchairs circa 1990. Good quality pair of bergere armchairs with brand new padded seat and back rest cushions. Solid ma...
Cane, Mahogany, Paint
Pair of William IV Rosewood Tub Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Nice pair of solid rosewood chair with caning in good condition. Wood seats. Raised on circular tapered legs with casters.
Rosewood
Pair of William IV Rosewood Bergeres, circa 1830
Located in Doylestown, PA
A pair of fine English William IV period rosewood bergeres or “lolling chairs”, circa 1830, with beautifully carved frames, upholstered in a cream cotton upholstery with silver decor...
Rosewood
Pair of Mid-19th Century Scottish Oak Bobbin Chairs
Located in London, GB
With their original ‘pulled’ squab cushions.
Oak
William IV Faux Rosewood Library Bergère
Located in London, GB
A William IV faux rosewood library bergère chair.
William IV Rosewood Bergere Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Of generous proportions with arched upholstered back set in a wonderfully shaped frame with arms terminating with lotus carving , reeded seat rail raised on tapered circular legs wit...
Rosewood
William IV Walnut Upholstered Armchair, England, circa 1835-1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
William IV walnut upholstered armchair having a slightly leaning back with button tufting, the rolled arms are closed and also have button tufting, the front of the chair is shaped a...
Pair of 19th Century English William IV Mahogany Bergere Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of 19th century English William IV mahogany bergere chairs. Good carved details. Older forest green cotton brocade covers are clean and have a tailored fit. Brass feet. Casters ...
Brass