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.
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
$7,900
William IV Recamier
Located in Greenwich, CT
A graceful William IV recamier or chaise longue in rich rosewood having sophisticated carving in the Grecian taste including a bold S scroll to the front face with acanthus leaves an...
Rosewood
Rare Antique William iv circa 1830 Hardwood Chesterfield Extending Chaise Lounge
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite antique circa 1830 English hand carved Mahogany William IV extending Chaise Lounge with Chesterfield tufting. This Chaise Lounge ...
Upholstery, 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
Diminutive English William IV Recamier with Recent Fabric, circa 1830
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This outstanding form is a visual delight! With a typically shaped and scrolled back, upholstered back and cushion, resting on turned and fluted tapering legs terminating in casters....
Mahogany
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
$7,209
H 33.08 in W 55.12 in D 28.75 in
Mid 19th Century Chaise Longue in Titley & Marr Printed Cotton
Located in Batley, GB
A cute little mid 19th century country house chaise longue. English c1840 with a beautifully curvaceous walnut frame raised on the original gilt brass casters and short turned legs. ...
Walnut
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
$7,800
H 37 in W 87 in D 28.75 in
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
Napoleon III Slipper Chaise Longue
Located in MILL, NL
French chaise longue. 19th century, Napoleon III period. Slipper model. Sturdy and solid. Upholstered in yellow/gold velvet. Upholstery still in excellent condition, only slightly d...
Velvet
$3,900
H 32 in W 69 in D 37 in
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly designed chaise lounge from Italy circa 1990's. It features quality construction with a stacked art deco form.
Fabric
Stickley Furniture Chaise or Recamier Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$8,900
H 39.75 in W 89.5 in D 29 in
French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Chaise Longue or Daybed
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome early 19th century French Directoire period chaise longue or daybed in walnut. The walnut has a wonderful patina and striking grai...
Walnut
Stickley Furniture Chaise or Recamier Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
$4,073
H 46.86 in W 84.26 in D 24.41 in
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Chaise Longue
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Victorian carved mahogany chaise longue having an outstanding quality mahogany shaped back with carved scrolls, flowers, leaves and grapes, scroll shaped ...
Other
Penelope Green Chaise Longue
By Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie
Located in Milan, IT
The curved Silhouette of this superbly elegant chaise longue provides a chic and comfortable seat that will highlight the decor of any bedroom or...
Metal, Other
Outstanding William 4th Chaise Lounge
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Superb quality Mahogany William 4th curved end chaise lounge, acanthus leaf leg, with original damask fabric, which has slight fading to the back, but otherwise super condition, wood...
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
Period William IV Chaise Longue Chair Day Bed
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Rather Impressive Chaise Longue is Raised Upon Wonderful Carved and Turned Feet with Brass Castors. The Scroll End Having Typical William IV Carved Detail. 19th Century The Back of the Chaise Longue Being of a Carved and Shaped Form. The Chaise Is Covered in a Quality Fabric and comes Complete with Bolster Cushion. Presented in Good Condition. A chaise longue, often spelled "chaise lounge" in English, is a type of long chair...
Fabric, Wood
William IV, England Wood Chaise Longue, Reupholstered
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding, original and exclusive piece: antique chaise-longue or William IV armchair with footrest of English origin. The soul and structure of the piece is mahogany with excellen...
Wood
Antique William iv Style Chaise Lounge by Howard & Sons
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique William IV style chaise lounge, circa 1900. The brass casters are stamped Howard & Sons. With a large down filled cushion. The chaise lounge could be period circa 1840, but i...
Brass
Sold
H 35 in W 55 in D 27 in
Pair of Diminutive Chaise Lounges in the Méridienne or "Fainting Couch" Style
Located in Long Island City, NY
This pair of early 19th-century William IV chaises longues or chaise lounges is distinguished by their unusually small size. They are ornamented with carved rosettes, and with lion's...
Antique William IV Rosewood Chaise Lounge
Located in London, GB
This antique William IV rosewood chaise longue is a very strong looking piece of furniture and is wonderful quality. The rosewood frame is beautifully shaped and well carved in many ...
Rosewood
Antique William IV Mahogany Chaise Lounge
Located in London, GB
Antique William IV mahogany chaise longue in great condition dating from around the 1830s-1840s period. It's just been French polished and ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 71 in D 26 in
Regency Period Chaise Longue or Daybed, Mahogany, William IVth, circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very elegant Chaise Longue or Day Bed. It is English and from the late Regency Period with a Mahogany frame. It has a single scroll end with a low sweeping back terminating in a carved scroll, both scrolls having carved roundels. The turned legs are reeded and terminate in brass castors. Please Note: There has been some previous restoration to the rear leg at the scroll end. It is the same profile and shape but is not reeded and has an old ceramic castor, probably having been replaced at some point in its history. The piece is upholstered in a green velvet fabric with a loose bolster seat...
Fabric, Mahogany