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 WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 ADJUSTABLE FLAMED HARDWOOD METAMORPHIC FOOTSTOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite Metamorphic William IV Flamed Mahogany and fabric upholstered height and angle adj...
Upholstery, Hardwood
FiNE WILLIAM IV STYLE OXBLOOD LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED BUTTONED OTTOMAN STOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning William IV Style Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Buttoned Ottoman Stool Please note: The deliver...
Leather, Hardwood
William Sheppee Folding Iron and Leather Stool
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual folding foot stool by William Sheppee. Heavy wrought iron and patinated brown saddle leather.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa in Oxblood
Located in Dekalb, IL
Classic tufted-leather Chesterfield sofa upholstered in deep oxblood red hide with brass nailhead trim and turned hardwood legs. The design features the signature rolled arms and con...
Leather
Circa 1830 William IV Set of 8 Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 William IV period set of 8 dining chairs, English. Carved mahogany in Greco-Roman taste. 2 arms & 6 sides. The broadly proportioned arms are well molded, scrolled & with r...
Wood
$437
H 11.82 in W 14.57 in D 11.82 in
Antique Queen Anne Style Footstool William Morriss Upholstery Cabriole Legs
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
This antique footstool features a Queen Anne style design with cabriole legs. It is upholstered in William Morris fabric. The approximate creation date is around 1900. The footstool ...
Oak
Antique Crocodile Leather Camel Footstool Ottoman Bench
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Crocodile Leather Camel Footstool Ottoman Bench.
Crocodile, Wood
Antique Crocodile Leather French Provincial Footstool Ottoman
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Crocodile Leather French Provincial Footstool Ottoman.
Crocodile
$2,000
H 17 in Dm 35 in
Drexel Large Tufted Floral Upholstery 35” Diameter Ottoman Foot Stool Bench MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Drexel Large Tufted Floral Upholstery 35” Diameter Ottoman Foot Stool Bench MINT
Upholstery
$3,650
H 17.5 in W 21 in D 14.5 in
19th Century Tufted Leather Foot Stool or Bench, with Raising Capabilities
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a fine, 19th century, brown leather, button tufted foot stool with mahogany frame and brass tacks over turned legs and brass wheels. Having t...
Mahogany
$1,800
H 19.5 in W 29 in D 20 in
18c Style Regency Giltwood & Tufted Cut Velvet Footstool Ottoman X Bench
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18c Style Regency Giltwood & Tufted Cut Velvet Footstool Ottoman X Bench.
Walnut, Giltwood
English Aesthetic Movement Footstool, Leather & Hardwood, Circa 1880
Located in Darien, CT
A handsome English Aesthetic Movement footstool dating to the late 19th century, featuring a richly patinated embossed leather seat and a finely crafted hardwood frame. Carved bullse...
Metal
Pair William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs. The chairs have a solid walnut frame and tufted leather upholstery. The chairs have a nice ...
Leather, Walnut
$1,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15 in W 12.63 in D 15 in
Pair of Footstools Stools Hans J. Wegner Papa Bear Ottoman Style
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair Mid Century Modern Footstools / Ottomans in the style of Hans Wegner .
Wood
Rococo Style Carved Cabriole Leg Stool Ottoman, Footstool
Located in Vienna, AT
Upholstered stool with cabriole legs white/gold lacquered. Made by an unknown Austrian furniture maker, circa 1880. New upholstery on request free ...
Walnut
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
$5,600 / set
H 17.5 in W 17 in D 15.5 in
Swedish Gustavian Footstools in Ephraim Ståhl Style, circa 1830
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Gustavian footstools. In the style of Ephraim Ståhl. Rectangular frame with slight bowfront and back. Featuring a decorative hand-carved scroll with fleurons on t...
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
William 1Vth English circular Footstool Box Inlaid Hardwood, Circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare example of an English Combination Lidded Foot Stool complete with an integral box or sewing box, hardwood with inlaid detail and dating to the early 19th century, Will...
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
English William IV Period Shaped Mahogany Footstool/Bench, ca. 1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a square leather top above atop an arch shaped apron raised on turned and hexagonal shaped tapering legs ending in ball feet.
Mahogany
Sold
H 17.33 in W 59.65 in D 26.19 in
RESTORED WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 CHESTERFiELD BROWN LEATHER OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very well made, one of a kind, fully restored Antique Circa 1830 William IV Chesterfield ottoman with i...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 16.54 in W 35.44 in D 23.04 in
Antique William IV circa 1830 Hardwood & Brown Leather Chesterfield Bench Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original William IV circa 1830 solid Rosewood hand dyed brown leather bench stool. An absolutely stunning find, much larger than i...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 19.3 in W 22.84 in D 22.45 in
William IV Circa 1830 Burr Walnut Ottoman Footstool Mulberry Flying Ducks Velvet
By Mulberry
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite, fully restored William IV 1830 Burr & Burl Walnut ottoman footstool with Mulberry Flying Ducks...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of William IV Giltwood Footstools
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of William IV giltwood footstools, with scrolling carving and cabriole legs with scroll feet, upholstered in blue fabric with float buttons.
Fabric, Giltwood
Sold
H 17.52 in W 16.74 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Antique Hardwood William IV circa 1830 Footstools Mulberry Flying Ducks
By Mulberry
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer lovely pair of original Mahogany William IV circa 1830 footstools newly upholstered in Mulberry Flying Ducks silk velve...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early Victorian Maple Footstool
Located in Essex, MA
Square upholstered hourglass form. Wood trim on base with wafer feet. Slightly worn silk upholstery.
Maple
Sold
H 14.97 in W 13.98 in D 25.2 in
Lovely William IV circa 1830 Nicely Carved Gout Rocking Footstool Stylish Design
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England William IV circa 1830 oak gout rocking footstool A very good looking and well made piece, it’s a very old desig...
Oak
Sold
H 15.75 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
William IV 1830 Rosewood Stool Embroidered with Floral Upholstery Nicely Carved
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning William IV circa 1830 hand carved rosewood stool with embroidered upholstery This is a very ornate and decorative stool...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Sold
H 8 in W 12.13 in D 7 in
William IVth, Fruitwood Stool or Stand, Turned Legs and Stretchers, circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an unusual English low stand or stool. The top is rectangular and very thick (about 1.75 inches) made from a single solid piece of fruitwood or mahogany. The edges are sli...
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Italian 1830s ottoman or footstool in hand-carved fruitwood with muslin upholstery. Detailed carving around the base of the stool.
Fruitwood, Upholstery