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 English Leather Hardwood Carved Rocking/ Gout Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English Leather Hardwood Carved Rocking/Gout Stool England, Mid to Late 19th Century Rare 19th Century English Leather & Hardwood Carved Rocking/Gout Stool England, ...
Leather, Hardwood
William IV Stool Seat Carved Mahogany Period 1835
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV mahogany stool Period William IV piece of antique furniture Circa 1835 This pretty William IV stool is raised upon cross-section carved end supports, united by a ring-turn...
Mahogany
ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 GREEN LEATHER HARDWOOD CHESTERFIELD STOOL PiANO BENCH
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, fully restored, Chesterfield Regency Green leather Piano bench...
Leather, Hardwood
$709Sale Price|33% Off
William IV Mahogany Needlepoint Stool
Located in Cheshire, GB
William IV mahogany stool, the needlepoint upholstered seat above molded frame raised up on four turned tapering legs. Dimensions: Height 17 inches. Width 16 inches. Dept...
Wood
WIV Style Gillows Designed Leather Upholstered Stool
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous and very functional WIV styled Gillows designed leather stool features deep buttoned cocoa brown upholstery supported on 6 turned reeded le...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Sampler Stool, English, Walnut, Boxwood, Embroidered, Decor, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sampler stool. An English, walnut and boxwood embroidered decorative rest, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Pleasingly embroidered low stool, ideal ...
Textile, Boxwood, Walnut
William IV Piano Stool Revolving Chair Seat Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV Mahogany Revolving Piano Stool. 19th Century This Rather Elegant Piano Stool Stands upon Turned and Shaped Front Legs with Sabre Back Legs. The Recently Reupholstered Seat...
Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany Stool
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century mahogany stool with drop in seat raised on cabriole legs with leaf and shell carving terminating on hoof feet
Mahogany
Circa 1835 William IV Period English Piano Stool
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV period English piano stool, circa 1835. Solid rosewood. Raised on Onslow scrolled feet, a circular lappet base & pedestal rising to a square upholstered revolving seat. Pr...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Mahogany X Frame Stool
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century mahogany X frame stool with comfortable upholstered seat, scrolling supports and shaped stretchers
Mahogany
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 24 in D 14 in
Pair of Hollywood Regency X-Frame Stools Gillows of Lancaster style
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Hollywood Regency X-base stools in the style of Gillows of Lancaster.
Brass
19th Century Carved Mahogany George II Stool
Located in London, by appointment only
Nicholas Wells antiques is pleased to present for sale a 19th century stool with bold carved details and ornament around the apron consisting of acanthu...
Mahogany
English Crule Painted & Upholstered Piano Bench, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English painted and upholstered crule piano bench with adjustable seat and connecting stretchers, Early 19th century.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair Regency Style Black Steel Upholstered X-Stools, 1970's
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Regency style steel stools with X-form bases. The steel with a blackened textured finish. Upholstered in light brown faux leather. Quite comfortable and very sturdy, a moder...
Steel
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
Khwarizmi Counter Height Walnut and Upholstered Leather Stool
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Indulge in the luxurious comfort of the Khwarizmi Stool. Handcrafted using walnut wood, this stool is a unique statement piece that will take center stage in any living space. The It...
Brass
Needlepoint Stool, France 1940's
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Walnut stool with a graded base, upholstered in a vintage needlepoint fabric
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Oak Turned Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak turned stool from England with a newly upholstered seat in linen. The linen top has a decorative single welt surrounding the seat, which accentuates the turned butt...
Linen, Oak
Antique Hand Carved Needlepoint Textile Upholstered Foot Stool
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Petite Elegant foot stool made hand carved woof wood, upholstered with beautiful floral motif needlepoint textile. Great decorative object of art for any room.
Wool, Wood
19th Century English Oak Joint Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Oak joint stool from England with a beveled edge around the top, which is also chamfered and of pegged construction. The apron is wonderfully hand carved on all four sid...
Oak
19th Century english barley twist stool
Located in Diest, BE
An English barley twist stool from the 19th century. This oak stool, featuring intricately twisted barley legs and a carved top. The stool's dark brown...
Wood
Paul Frankl Style Vanity Stool Upholstered in Shearling
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most elegant and thoughtful way to celebrate your "me" time. Make yourself comfortable in silky soft shearling and enjoy the ritual of tending to you. A beautiful and sculptural vanity...
Fur, Hide, Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Large Hall Bench or Window Seat of Patinated Oak from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English hall bench or window seat or stool of oak from the William IV period, featuring turned bolsters at opposing ends over a long plank seat and set upon four turned legs. ...
Wood, Oak
William IV Piano Stool Adjustable Height 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV adjustable piano stool. 19th Century The piano stool features a deep buttoned seat which revolves for height adjustment. The column being of a typical William IV design wi...
Wood
William IV Piano Stool Adjustable Height 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV adjustable piano stool. 19th Century The piano stool features a deep buttoned seat which revolves for height adjustment. The column being of a typical William IV design wi...
Other
Pair of 19th Century William IV Period Rosewood Piano Stools
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A pair of fine quality 19th-century William IV period rosewood piano or duet stools. Each features an adjustable-height round seat, recently reupholster...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century William IV Upholstered Window Seats
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A pair of lovely proportioned 19th century window seats. Rectangular newly reupholstered seat and hand tacked around the legs. The whole rais...
Upholstery
Pair William IV Window Seats Benches Antique Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair of William IV Style Mahogany Window Seats. A Very Nice Pair of Window Seats (unusual to get a pair) Circa 1920 Raised Upon Ring Turned and Fluted Legs. The Mahogany Seats Having...
Mahogany
William 4th Rosewood Stool
By Thomas Hope
Located in Sherborne, GB
Antique William 4th stool circa 1835 retaining its original upholstery in the calico , the rails lipped with a ogee moulding resting on turned carved acan...
Rosewood
Superb Rosewood Willian IV Window Seat, Hall Bench
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb Rosewood Willian IV Window Seat, Hall Bench This is a very fine and heavy piece of Early 19th century Furniture, it has a solid Rosewood seat with Roll end arms The seat has ...
Rosewood
Pair William IV Window Seats Antique Stools
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair of William IV Rosewood Window Seats. Circa 19th Century These Wonderful Window Seats Having a Typical William IV Chair Back with a Carved and Shaped Centre Rail, Carved and Shap...
Rosewood
Wiliam IV Stool Piano Seat, 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV Adjustable Piano Stool. 19th century This Piano Stool Stands Upon Carved Lions Paw Feet. Having a Shaped and Fluted Column. The Piano Stool Features a Rise and Fall Se...
Other
English Stool of Mahogany with Oval Seat and Turned Legs
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English seating stool or bench of well patinated mahogany from the William IV period, featuring an oval top with an ‘s’ shape handhold, set upon four turned legs.
Wood, Mahogany
William IV Upholstered Oak Window Seat, c. 1825
Located in Kenilworth, IL
English William IV leather & hair on hide calf skin upholstered window bench on English oak legs. The bench features conical turned and melon carved front legs with Neoclassic pilaster...
Leather, Oak