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 Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Reclining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This English reclining lounge chair is a remarkable example of pre-modern craftsmanship. The chair features a turned mahogany frame that supports a fully adjustable back and a slide-...
Linen, 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
Labeled 19th Century London Made Reclining Mechanical Library Chair on Castors
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic piece of labeled 19th century London made metamorphic furniture in recently tufted leather by J. Ward, “manufacturer to the Queen and royal family”. The chair reclines (from 34” to 62” with ottoman slid in place) with leather wrapped chains from a wheel on the side. The sides open up from both sides. There is an adjustable ottoman...
Bronze
$3,917
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
Pair of Armchairs, Upholstered in Pure Mohair
By Mogens Lassen, Fritz Hansen, Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A super pair of modern Danish style lounge chairs / armchairs. Beech frames and sprung seats. Newly upholstered in a golden brown, premium, soft, pure mohair fabric. Handmade in E...
Beech, Mohair
19th Century Irish Mahogany Library Armchair
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th century mahogany framed library armchair, the curved top-rail above button back upholstered in leather, with raised padded arm rests and down scrolled arms whi...
Leather, Mahogany
$9,450 / set
H 32 in W 36 in D 26 in
George Smith Damask Down Velvet Castors Armchairs & Ottoman, Set of 3
By George Smith
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The beautiful rare collection is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality! We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, signature armchairs...
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Down
$4,450 / set
H 35 in W 28 in D 34 in
1990s Lee Industries Beige White English Library Chairs on Castors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful chairs are a statement piece which is ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Armchairs Upholstered in Pure Mohair
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A super pair of modern armchairs, in the manner of Guglielmo Ulrich, newly upholstered in a rust / burnt orange pure Mohair fabric. Quality handmade beech frames, traditional hand ...
Wood, Mohair
Pair Of 19th C. Neoclassical French Carved Walnut Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Labeled Dugard underneath the seats. With carved gadrooned pediment crest rails with center scrolled crests over burled upper backs. The curved arms with carved leafy backs and ribbe...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,766Sale Price|46% Off
H 43.31 in W 22.05 in D 40.16 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Reclining Chair, Early 20th Century
By Heal's
Located in Uppsala, SE
Deep seated Arts & Crafts recliner in oak, possibly English and possibly retailed by Heal's of London, from the early 20th century. Seat and back covered in what is most likely the o...
Fabric, Oak
$766Sale Price|53% Off
H 24.02 in W 17.33 in D 20.08 in
Antique Ebonized Slipper Chair on Castors, Late 19th Century
Located in Uppsala, SE
Antique Slipper chair with ebonized legs on castors, late 19th century. Either you sit on it like a normal chair our you can turn around and use the backrest for arm support when rea...
Brass
De Sede DS-50 Chocolate Brown Recliner Chair
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Executive lounge chair by De Sede made in the 1970s, Switzerland. Features a reclining mechanism allowing you to recline the chair almost flat if you choose. Extremely comfortable. T...
Leather
$1,786
H 34.26 in W 25.6 in D 24.81 in
19th Century Red Velvet Buttonback Captains Chair With Porcelain Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Red Velvet Chesterfield Red Velvet Buttonback Captains Chair With Porcelain Castors Heavy weight hand made chair with horsehair stuffed seat. Extra dimensions Heigh...
Brass
Pair of Armchairs, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Viggo Boesen, Flemming Lassen, Fritz Hansen, Mogens Lassen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A super pair of modern Danish style lounge chairs / armchairs. Beech frames and sprung seats. Newly upholstered in a premium, soft, pure alpaca wool fabric. Handmade in England. ...
Alpaca, Beech
Vintage English Chesterfield Leather And Mahogany Lounge And Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage English William IV Style Chesterfield Leather and Mahogany Lounge and Ottoman with Antique Gold Nailhead Trim This vintage English William IV style Chesterfield lounge and ...
Leather
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
Sold
H 32.5 in W 21.5 in D 26 in
English William IV Painted Mahogany Frame Gondola Arm Chair in Calfskin
Located in Kenilworth, IL
William IV painted mahogany framed gondola arm chair on cast brass castors. The frame is upholstered in chocolate brown and white calf skin hide on horse hair fill. England, circa...
Cowhide, Mahogany, Paint
William IV Mahogany Frame Gondola Chair, 1830
Located in Kenilworth, IL
William IV mahogany frame gondola chair in black lacquer, decorated with painted floral highlights, and fitted with a hand caned back and seat. The chair rests on turned front legs a...
Brass
19th Century English William IV Mahogany Hand Dyed Leather Library Chair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality William IV hand dyed green leather library chair. Upholstered in good quality leather hide and then hand colour...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-19th Century Scottish Oak Bobbin Chairs
Located in London, GB
With their original ‘pulled’ squab cushions.
Oak
William IV Mahogany and Leather Reclining Library Chair
Located in Doylestown, PA
William IV mahogany reclining library chair with reclining back operated with brass pulls to the underside of the arms, as well as a pullout fo...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of William IV Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Each with upholstered backs with exposed wood sides and carved rosettes, scrolled arms joining a upholstered over seat, klismos form legs with central carved rosette, casters. Sutton...
Mahogany
Pair of William IV Leather Parlor Chairs
Located in Nantucket, MA
Brown leather library chairs with reclined button backs and padded open arms with spindle supports and scrolled armrests on turned feet wit...
Sold
H 44 in W 27.25 in D 33.5 in
English William IV Mahogany & Leather Metamorphic Reclining Armchair, circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
The chair having an arched backrest upholstered in button tufted brown leather, the armrests also with leather cushions and turned supports, the seat of tightly upholstered in leathe...
William IV Mahogany and Leather Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
With brown tufted leather back and loose tufted seat set in a carved molded frame with scrolled arms and raised on turned legs and casters
William IV Reclining Library Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
English William IV mahogany library chair with reclining back operated with brass pulls to the underside of the arms, as well as a pullout footrest. A comfortable and handsome chair,...
Mahogany