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.
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
RESTORED WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 CHESTERFiELD REGENCY BLUE LEATHER HUMP BACK SOFA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored Regency Blue, William IV hump back sofa with burr elm turned legs Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price A truly stunning antique, these sofas were staples of every sophisticated English gentleman’s library in the Georgian to Victorian era around 1780-1860, this is a very fine William IV example circa 1830 and is quite rare as it has burr elm legs which I’ve not seen before The sofa was fully restored 3-4 years ago, it had all new Regency...
Leather, Elm
Large 19th Century English William IV Settee Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and substantial late Regency early William IV mahogany three seater sofa attributed to Gillows of Lancaster in the Grecian manner. Standing on four large bulbous style tu...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Antique Swan Neck Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine antique French walnut recamier or chaise lounge with carved swan heads at posts, lovely neutral vintage upholstery and bolster pillow, circa 1930. The chaise rests on four ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,875
H 30 in W 88 in D 30 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Leather Tufted Sofa Oxblood Red Mid Century
Located in Tyler, TX
TIMELESS Vintage English Leather Tufted Seat CHESTERFIELD 4-Seat Sofa Oxblood Red PERFECT ICONIC look for a gentleman's office, study, library, or cigar lounge~~upholstery is "oxblo...
Leather
$5,333
H 30.32 in W 53.94 in D 32.29 in
Fully Restored Hand Dyed Whiskey Brown Leather Two Seater Sofa '2/2'
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to present this Gorgeous Art Deco fully restored whiskey brown hand-dyed leather sofa. Condition-wise, the sofa has been fully restored, washed back, and hand dye...
Leather
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
$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
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 54 in D 34 in
English Thomas Lloyd Cigar Leather Wingback Chesterfield Settee
By Thomas Lloyd
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous English wingback chesterfield settee sofa featuring a cigar leather tufted upholstery hand-crafted in England by Thomas Lloyd from a hard frame covered with fine Italian ful...
Brass
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Lelievre Wool Boucle
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back sofa upholstered in Lelievre Lama Naturel wool boucle. Also available in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worl...
Fabric, Wood
French 19th Century Massive Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive French Directoire 19th century fruitwood bench/settee is upholstered in a regal striped fabric of saffron gold & salmon pink. While the large scale might be generous...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge, Hardwood & Boucle, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural chaise lounge, attributed to the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, was produced in Brazil during the 1960s, a period when Brazilian modern furniture reached full maturity—bal...
Hardwood, Bouclé
$4,750
H 34 in W 34 in D 60 in
1970s Beige English Tufted Chesterfield Style Lounge Daybed Chaise on Castors
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, chesterfield style, tufted chaise lounge you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beaut...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique West Indies Carved and Caned Settee or Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th Century West Indies settee handcrafted with mahogany in elegant form with caned back sides and seat featuring pegged construction, scr...
Mahogany
William IV Carved Rosewood Sofa
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Almost certainly by the workshops of Gillows.
Rosewood
19th Century William IV Large Leather Stool
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a top quality 19th century mahogany stool. With six turned and fluted legs, each with ornate brass surrounds to the top. This is below a deep buttoned leather seat. The l...
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Hepplewhite Shield Back Settee
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Hepplewhite style shield back settee with fine carved splat, with a caned seat with original reupholstered loose seat. The arms a...