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.
IMPORTANT RESTORED ANTiQUE 1830 LEATHER HARDWOOD CHESTERFIELD OTTOMAN STOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare Antique original, William IV Circa 1830 large, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leath...
Leather, Hardwood
$760Sale Price|20% Off
c. 1835 English William IV Ottoman or Bench
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 curule form William IV ottoman or bench, English. Carved mahogany. A shield is carved at the center of the leg with whorls at the ends of each scrolled section. Well turne...
Wood
Antique William IV Burr Walnut Ottoman Stool
Located in London, GB
A rare and incredibly beautiful antique William IV burr walnut ottoman stool. This was made in England, it dates from the 1830-1850 period. It is of outstanding quality and is a gre...
Fabric, Walnut
$4,566
H 18.51 in W 42.13 in D 25.6 in
FULLY RESTORED ANTiQUE VICTORIAN BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED OTTOMAN STOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, mid Victorian antique, large, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather ottoman bench...
Leather, Hardwood
Danish Modern Teak Stool / Ottoman
Located in Denton, TX
Solid thick teak wood with dovetailed corners can be also used for a side table.
Teak
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
$3,315
H 16 in W 57 in D 30 in
Large and Rare Double Rail Woven Leather Coffee Table or Ottoman Bench, 1990s
Located in Lisse, NL
Timeless and stylish ottoman with top quality leather woven rails. This finest quality and very large ottoman is another one of our recent great fi...
Leather, Wood
Barcelona Knoll Styled Leather Chrome Ottoman / Stool
By Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted heavy chromed luxurious ottoman or stool with squared leather top cushion in the manner of Knoll and Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. Perfect for extra seating or use as...
Chrome
$525
H 15 in W 28 in D 19 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Queen Anne Style Brown Leather Tufted Ottoman Foots
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Chesterfield Queen Anne Style Brown Leather Tufted Ottoman Footstool. Item features shell carved knees, button tufted brown leather upholstery, solid wood frame, beau...
Leather, Wood
$2,650
H 17.5 in W 22.25 in D 22.25 in
French Mid-Century Modern Ottoman or Bench Attributed To Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Maison Jansen, Artifort, Roche Bobois, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
French Mid-Century Modern Ottoman Or Bench Attributed To Pierre Paulin. Unusual French modern ottoman, pouf, stool or bench with a walnut base u...
Bouclé, Walnut
Custom Made Walnut & Sheepskin Ottoman
Located in London, England
Custom Made Esko ottoman from Dagmar design This classic yet contemporary design was first produced in Denmark in the 1960s by cabinetmaker Soren Nielsen. This new edition is a stun...
Sheepskin, Walnut
Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona Ottoman or Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
Cream tone leather tufted top cushion and straps with a stainless steel frame in wonderful original condition.
Stainless Steel
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 20 in D 20 in
Fabulous Sabre Leg Walnut Stool/Ottoman by T H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, C. 1950s
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous upholstered stool/ottoman with walnut frame. Designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. American, c. 1950 This piece measures 20"t x 20'w x 20"d.
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,250 / set
H 18.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Midcentury Postmodern Waterfall Upholstered Bench Set, Ottomans or Poufs in Pink
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic looking upholstered bench set from the 1980s with a waterfall form. This well made set still retains its original upholstery which is in fantastic condition.
Fabric
"SC1" modern stool or ottoman by Last Workshop, Walnut
Located in Chicago, IL
"SC1" Stool / ottoman by Last Workshop, 2025. Solid walnut, natural finish Standard fabric: Knoll Textiles "Ferry" in Whitehall Standard size: 16.5" x 16.5" x 18"H If not in st...
Walnut
Sold
H 12.8 in W 47.45 in D 28.15 in
RESTORED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV BROWN LEATHER HARDWOOD CHESTERFIELD OTTOMAN STOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, William IV Circa 1830 very large, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather ...
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century, William IV Period Walnut and Leather Ottoman
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A fine quality early 19th century, William IV period walnut and leather ottoman. Deep red coloured buttoned leather seat above a well figured walnut and leather panelled base with tu...
Brass
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
Sold
H 21.26 in W 38.19 in D 20.87 in
Restored Antique William IV Burr Walnut Brown Leather Chesterfield Ottoman Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this absolutely exquisite two-person large ottoman that has been fully restored in Burr Walnut with brown leather panels and Chesterfield tufting This is...
Leather, Walnut
Antique William IV Studded Leather Ottoman Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique William IV leather upholstered ottoman with useful storage inside. It has a padded seat, concave sides and a hinged seat that lifts up to reveal a newly upholstered interior....
Leather, Mahogany
Handsome William IV Style Oval Ottoman/Stool with Turned Legs & Casters
Located in San Francisco, CA
This handsome reproduction is perfect as an ottoman, stool, foot rest or table having an oval upholstered seat above a deep apron and raised on turned wooden supports ending in caste...
Wood
Oversize William iv Style Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large generous sized upholstered square ottoman covered in faux leopard print with a center tuft has a low wood base with turned legs and brass casters. Ottoman is a great coffee tab...
Wood
Antique Large Rosewood Centre Stool Ottoman
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An extremely unusual William IV period octagonal rosewood centre stool, or ottoman, of very large proportions having Gothic carved decoration and turned...
Rosewood
Sold
H 25.99 in W 53.15 in D 20.87 in
Rare William iv Mahogany and Leather Window Seat After John Taylor
Located in Benington, Herts
A very rare and superb quality 19th century late William IV period window seat after a design by John Taylor, circa 1830-1840. Having urn-shaped carved mahogany arm supports with a ...
Leather, 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
English William IV Upholstered Mahogany Bench, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
William IV, 19th century English turned leg bench. The bench has 6 turned mahogany legs and has been recently reupholstered in linen. The be...
Mahogany