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.
Circa 1835 English William IV Lift-Top Ottoman
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 William IV lift-top ottoman, English. Tapered body & bun feet. Once fabric covered, now in warm pine & retaining old needlework seat cover. Retains the fabric braid along ...
Fabric, Pine
$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
$6,502Sale Price|20% Off
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
William Switzer Faux Bamboo Ottoman - Bench with Plaid Upholstery
Located in Bradenton, FL
William Switzer Faux Bamboo Ottoman with Plaid Upholstery. This ottoman is a refined accent piece that blends classic British Colonial inspiration with sophisticated transitional sty...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
$906Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in W 17 in D 21 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Gold Gilded Twisted Rope and Tassel Bench or Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A gold gilt bench featuring a rope and tassel motif from Italy, dating back to the 1960s. This versatile and decorative piece can enhance any room in the house, showcasing fine vinta...
Metal
$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 Maison Jansen, Artifort, Pierre Paulin, 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
020 Artist Ottoman - Linen or Velvet
Located in Westlake Village, CA
THE PLACE OF REPOSE The Artist ottoman embodies both restfulness and structure. Its evocative design suggests softness, offering the ideal space to meditate, place a tray for coffee...
Linen, Velvet
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
Vintage Italian Ottoman or Bench Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Italian walnut ottoman or bench attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa. This handsome organic modern/Brutalist ottoman, bench or stool has been newly upholstered in green velvet.
Velvet, Walnut
Karl Springer Style Leather Ottoman Pouf Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome mid-century modern souffle ottoman pouf or footstool constructed in the manner and style of Karl Springer. The pouf features a rare soft, supple leather cover in a rich, dar...
Leather, Oak
Very Fine Leather Top X Base Table/ Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A caramel color pieced leather seat with a separate top cushion. With shaped X supports on two sides in a dark rosewood stain. Sturdy and very well made. Measures 43.5 wide by 43.5”...
Leather, Wood
$1,320
H 16 in W 64 in D 26.5 in
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Carmen Leather Cocktail Ottoman or Museum Bench
By Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Located in Miami, FL
Carmen large cocktail ottoman or museum bench with Caspian Leather cushion and bronze finish steel base by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The le...
Steel
$656
H 15.36 in W 30.71 in D 20.08 in
Elegant cowhide English chesterfield ottoman finished with decorative nails
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This elegant and distinctive English Chesterfield ottoman is upholstered in genuine cowhide leather, stands on castors, and is finished with decorative brass studding. An ottoman, a...
Cowhide, Leather
Bamboo Stool Ottoman Pouf
Located in New York, NY
Bamboo ottoman, stool , pouf
Bamboo
Midcentury Ottoman Pouf in the Style of William "Billy" Haines
By William Billy Haines, Dorothy Draper, James Mont, Grosfeld House
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury ottoman pouf in the style of William "Billy" Haines. This charming 32 inch round poof is newly upholstered in plush white bouclè fabric with a large center button. This ve...
Bouclé
Large antique daybed ottoman stool
Located in Stroud, GB
Large antique adapted daybed ottoman stool covered in loomstate heavy cotton and natural hessian. standing on turned mahogany legs and large gilt brass castors. Dimensions: H 16″ ...
Beech
English William IV Period Walnut Bench, ca. 1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a rectangular top with a molded edge, the shaped apron with a centered medallion, raised on turned tapering legs
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
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...
Walnut, Cotton
Sold
H 12.8 in W 47.45 in D 28.15 in
RESTORED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV BROWN 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 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
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