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 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
Carved Oak William IV Pierced And Carved Gothic Hall Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare Carved Oak side chair in the Gothic style dating to 1830-1837 in original condition. The Chair in an overall fine and worn age patina with Classic Gothic Arch back pierced wit...
Oak
William IV Mahogany Library Armchair, Upholstered, England, Circa 1835
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 19th Century, William IV Period, Mahogany Library Armchair Of Good Bold Proportions, Having Upholstered Scrolling Back And Arms With Moulded Decoration, Over Gene...
Mahogany
$1,752Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830 Beautifully constructed with a carved walnut frame of a warm patination. Good solid construction with traditional ...
Wool, Walnut
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
A Stunning Antique English Polished Tan Leather Captains Chair With Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Chair 2025 10 WV A stunning example of an English antique 1830's William IV polished tan leather chesterfield captains chair with brass st...
Brass
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...
Leather, Hardwood
William IV Rosewood Chaise Longue Attributed to Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV rosewood chaise longue attributed to Gillows, with deeply carved scroll terminals and arms, and turned tapering legs on disguised castors.
Leather, Rosewood
$1,506 / set
Pair of Antique William IV Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
A lovely pair of antique William IV hall chairs. They were made in England, they date from the 1830-1840 period. The quality is outstanding, they are beautifully constructed from so...
Wood
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, ...
Mahogany, Cane
Set William IV Dining Chairs Mahogany Upholstered Seats
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Set of 8 William IV Mahogany Dining Chairs. 19th Century These Chairs are Raised Upon Typical William IV Turned and Carved Tulip Front Legs With Sabre Back Legs. The Chairs Having a ...
Mahogany
Unusual Antique William IV Quality Mahogany Child’s Armchair and Stand
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique William IV quality mahogany child’s armchair and stand having a quality arched shaped top rail and splat to the centre of the back, shaped scrolled open arms, newly r...
Other
A Pair of 19th Century William IV Shield Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
English, circa 1830 A pair of mid nineteenth century mahogany hall chairs, with shaped seats and backs, painted shield motif, and turned front legs. Height 87.00cm Width of seat ...
Wood
William IV Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Horseshoe back upholstered in green leather with brass tacks. Seat upholstered the same way and with circular fluted tapered legs with brass casters. Scratches to leather seat.
Leather, Mahogany
Pair William IV Chairs, Antique Mahogany Chair
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair of Mahogany William IV side chairs. These pretty chairs stand on ring turned and carved front legs with sabre back legs. Having serpentine shaped seat fronts (the seats have r...
Mahogany
Pair of William IV Adjustable Mahogany Library Armchairs, by George Minter
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of William IV adjustable mahogany library armchairs, by George Minter, one dated 1832, each with adjustable buttoned leather-upholstered backs, seats and armrests, the seats w...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,752Sale Price|70% Off
Antique William IV Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant William IV Antique Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood And Brass Studded Detailing Upon Brass Castors 1800's
Brass
19th Century English William IV Captain's Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Walnut Captain's Chair with a noteworthy Bol form frame in an overall honey walnut finish with a tub back and elaborate scrolled arms raised on oversize ring...
Walnut
William IV Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine original condition Library Chair with Leather Seat. The frame with handsome wood graining, pierced splat back, and overall sinuous form and having castored front legs. With g...
Brass
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...
Mahogany
Quality Pair of Antique William IV Carved Hardwood Side/Desk Chairs, circa 1830
Located in Suffolk, GB
A quality pair of antique William IV carved hardwood side/desk chairs. This pair has a very attractively carved top rail and centre splat. They have been tastefully reupholstered in ...
Hardwood
Antique Morning Room Chair, English, Silk Cotton, Side Seat, William IV, C.1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique morning room chair. An English, rosewood and embroidered silk cotton side seat, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Exquisite upholstery over a beautiful...
Wood
William IV Mahogany Hall Chair
Located in Essex, MA
An interesting chair with carved back and central coat of arms over an oval paterae. Slightly bowed seat with reeded seat rail raised on turned legs.
Mahogany
$4,101 / set
Set 8 William IV Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful set of William IV dining chairs These chairs stand upon ''Gillow's'' style turned and fluted front legs and sabre back legs The freshly reupholstered seat is of a lift out ...
Wood
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...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 1830 William IV Flamed Hardwood Metamorphic Library Armchair Steps
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this large and collectable lightly restored William IV circa 1830 Flamed Mahogany, metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London. This is a wonderful piece of English history, I have never seen another with such elegant turned front legs, usually they are plainer and straight timber. The seat pad has been upholstered with a grey linen, the steps and raw flamed mahogany and look amazing. This chair is an important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. You can see the same model made by Gillows currently viewed in the Victorian & Albert Museum, below is an extra from their listing. The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand. They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds...
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Set of Six Chippendale Gothic Style Dining Chairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century set of six Chippendale Gothic style dining chairs with finely carved back splat. The seats are drop-in cream striped upho...
William IV Bergere Chair, Antique Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive Mahogany William IV Bergere Chair. 19th century Having Ring turned front legs with brass castors and sabre back legs. Turned Arm supports and reeded Arms. The Cresting...
Mahogany
$3,217
H 33.47 in W 24.41 in D 28.35 in
SCOTTISH ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1880 HARDWOOD & LEATHER CHESTERFIELD CAPTAINS CHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rare and super collectable Antique Victorian Scottish Mahogany captains chair...
Leather, Hardwood
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...
Fabric, Wood
$3,423 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Vintage Distressed Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Tub Armchairs
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Vintage distressed brown leather chesterfield club tub armchairs. A gorgeous pair with buttoned buttons, typical chesterfiel...
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century English Victorian period captains chair or smokers' bow chair crafted from mahogany. The chair features a round horseshoe shaped seat crest with a deep contoure...
Plastic, Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century mahogany hall chairs from England. The backs are in the shape of shields, which are pierced and have a central lozenge in the back with carved decoration. The ...
Mahogany
Fabricius Kastholm Leather 'Bird' Chairs
By Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful modern leather and aluminum office chairs in original black leather. Higher back version. Designed in the 60s by Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius for Alfred Kill's KILL I...
Aluminum
19th-C. English Victorian Walnut Hall Chair W/ Carved Boar
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a charming English carved walnut hall chair. It is typical of the revival that occurred during the Victorian era. The chairs were almost status symbols for the wealthy. I lov...
Walnut
Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Oak Hall Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Victorian carved oak hall chairs having quality carved oak scrolls backs, solid oak shaped seats and standing on unusual bobbin t...
Oak
$6,919
H 38.19 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Armchair Restored Re-Upholstered Leather
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Era Art Nouveau, early 20th century museal modernist Wiener Werkstätte armchair restored re-upholstered leather by Josef Hoffmann. Solid walnut wood structure with original patina, with cast bronze...
Bronze
William IV Mahogany & Leather Library Chair
Located in Kent, Dover
An English, William IV mahogany library chair, with fluted legs and anthemion decoration. It has been upholstered in green leather, with buff leather buttoning.
Mahogany
$1,241Sale Price|30% Off
H 34.26 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique 19th Century Pair of mahogany Gothic Hall Chairs – Fine Side Chairs
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Pair of mahogany Gothic Hall Chairs – Fine Quality Side Chairs An antique 19th Century pair of mahogany Gothic hall chairs, full of age, character, and patina. ...
Wood
Pair of English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning pair of Regency hall chairs from England, circa 1800. Dramatic in color alone, the solid mahogany planks lend themselves well to carved, scrolling details in the shield-back...
Mahogany, Paint
Set William IV Dining Chairs Mahogany 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Good set of 8 William IV mahogany dining chairs. The chairs are raised upon turned front legs and sabre back legs. Circa 19th Century The chairs feature a lift out seats which have r...
Mahogany
Set 4 William IV Dining Chairs Mahogany 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Set of 4 elegant William dining chairs in mahogany These dining chairs are raised upon typical William IV ring turned and carved front legs with...
Mahogany
Pair William IV Hall Chairs Mahogany Seats 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair of William IV Mahogany Hall Chairs. These Quality Hall Chairs are Raised Upon Ring Turned and Carved Front Legs with Swept Back Legs. 19th Century Each Chair Having a Solid Seat...
Mahogany
Set William IV Dining Chairs Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Set of 12 (10 + 2) William IV Style Mahogany Dining Chairs. These Chairs Stand Upon Typical William IV Turned and Carved Front Legs, the Back Legs Being of a Sabre Form. The Chairs F...
Mahogany
Set of 6 Antique William IV Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A stunning set of six original William IV period dining chairs. They were made in England, and date from around the 1830-1840’s. The quality is superb, they have beautifully carved ...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 26.58 in D 22.45 in
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...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 30.52 in W 27.56 in D 24.02 in
Rare Important Antique 1830 Carved Cockfighting Chesterfield Brown Leather Chair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are elighted to offer for sale this important handmade made in England, fully restored, circa 1830-1850 Cockfighting metamorphic swivel armchair This really is an exquisite ar...
Leather
Antique William IV Leather Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A superb antique William IV period armchair. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-40 period. It is of superb quality, with a very sturdy and bold design. The fl...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 34.85 in W 18.71 in D 20.08 in
Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Papier Machè Chair
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Papier Machè Chair William IV C.1830 Superb decorative chair, intricately inlaid with mother of pearl inlay and gilt detailin...
Mother-of-Pearl
Sold
H 40.16 in W 26.78 in D 32.68 in
William IV Rosewood in Original Brass Library Armchair, circa 1830
Located in Faversham, GB
Superb William IV rosewood library armchair. The crest and surrounding frame are carved with an image of the Green Man and foliate scrolling, whilst both...
Rosewood, Faux Leather
Set of 6 Antique William IV Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A superb set of original antique William IV period dining chairs. They were made in England, and date from around the 1830-1840’s. The quality is fantastic, they have a beautiful ...
Fabric, Wood
Antique English William IV Carved Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English William IV Carved Mahogany Bergere armchairs in a striped velvet upholstery - set of 4 Beautiful set of antique English Regency William IV style carved, solid maho...
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany