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.
Antique Set Of 8 William IV English Barback Dining Chairs Circa 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic English-made set of eight antique William IV barback dining chairs, circa 1830. The set comprises six side chairs and two armchairs with curved top rails and bar...
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Set 8 English William IV Bar Back Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic set of eight antique English William IV flame mahogany bar back dining chairs, dating from circa 1830. The set comprising a pair of armchairs with over scrolled...
Leather, Mahogany
A Very Fine Early 19th Century Irish William IV Double Ended Sofa
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th Century Irish William IV well figured mahogany framed double ended sofa. This superb piece is beautifully hand carved with rich patination, grain and is newly...
Brass
$12,504Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Drawing Room Sofa, English, Large 2 Seat Settee, Show Frame, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large drawing room sofa. An English, mahogany two seat settee with show frame, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Exquisite upholstery complements the striking ...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,059Sale Price|20% Off
C1780s William 1v Library Chair
Located in London, GB
A Beautiful Leather Library Chair This chair has been Restored and Reupholstered Dates C1780s Just Been Upholstered in lovely Brown Leather and Plaid Fabric
Leather
$5,800 / set
Circa 1830 William IV Set of 8 Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 William IV period set of 8 dining chairs, English. Carved mahogany in Greco-Roman taste. 2 arms & 6 sides. The broadly proportioned arms are well molded, scrolled & with r...
Wood
$595Sale Price|20% Off
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
19th century English Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Richmond, VA
Cozy 19th century upholstered English mahogany library chair. Great color and scale. Fabric ready to use as is or could easily be reupholstered.
Mahogany
Antique William IV Leather and Walnut Wing Back Armchair
Located in London, GB
An exceptional antique William IV Leather and Walnut wing back armchair. This is possibly Irish or English, it dates from around the 1820-1840 period. We have said this is walnut, bu...
Leather, Walnut
William IV Mahogany Library Armchair, Upholstered, England, Circa 1835
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 19th Century, William IV Period, Mahogany Library Armchair Of Good Bold Proportions, Having Upholstered Scrolling Back And Arms With Moulded Decoration, Over Gene...
Mahogany
Carved Oak William IV Pierced And Carved Gothic Hall Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare Carved Oak side chair in the Gothic style dating to 1830-1837 in original condition. The Chair in an overall fine and worn age patina with Classic Gothic Arch back pierced wit...
Oak
$15,299Sale Price / item|20% Off
A Pair of Antique William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere & Leather Library Armchairs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant Pair of William IV Regency Hardwood Cane Bergere & Antique Brown Leather Library Armchairs With Scrolled Arms on Brass Castors Chairs are a near pair slightly differing Bu...
Brass
William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms on Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stylish William IV 1700's Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms and Original Brass Castors on Fluted Supports. Chair comes with a new brown leather piped cushion...
Brass
A Pair of 19th Century William IV Shield Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
English, circa 1830 A pair of mid nineteenth century mahogany hall chairs, with shaped seats and backs, painted shield motif, and turned front legs. Height 87.00cm Width of seat ...
Wood
William IV Country House Armchair
Located in Batley, GB
A well drawn early 19th century country house armchair. Raised on walnut legs and the original L.W. Lewty brass casters. Retaining the original horsehair innards which feel firm and ...
Walnut
19th Century English William IV Captain's Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Walnut Captain's Chair with a noteworthy Bol form frame in an overall honey walnut finish with a tub back and elaborate scrolled arms raised on oversize ring...
Walnut
William IV Rosewood Caned Bergere Tub Chair With Rounded Horseshoe Back 1800´s
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant William IV Rosewood Caned Bergere Tub Chair With Rounded Horseshoe Back 1800´s Unattributed to Gillows of Lancaster & London. A highly de...
Brass
19th Century William IV style White Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century White William IV style Chesterfield Sofa with new upholstery on casters
Upholstery, Wood
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
$8,500 / item
"Tatum" by Lee Stanton William IV Style Tufted Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tatum by Lee Stanton Editions. Tufted straight-back William IV style sofa sofa with tapered legs and straight arms, upholstered in Belgian cream colore...
Upholstery
Unusual Antique Quality William IV Leather and Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique quality William IV leather and mahogany library chair having a newly reupholstered seat and back in a quality chestnut colour leather, shaped open arms with turned su...
Other
Unusual Antique William IV Quality Mahogany Child’s Armchair and Stand
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique William IV quality mahogany child’s armchair and stand having a quality arched shaped top rail and splat to the centre of the back, shaped scrolled open arms, newly r...
Other
$3,824Sale Price|20% Off
English William IV Carved Sofa, 19th Century
Located in Sherborne, GB
This superb William IV sofa is of fine quality and elegant form. It comprises of a mahogany frame and features an elegant shaped top rail, Egyptian re...
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Set of Eight William IV Period Rosewood Dining Chairs
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Set of eight William IV period rosewood dining chairs dating the 1830s , featuring elegantly carved backrests and centre rails, showcasing intricate detailing typical of the period ....
Rosewood
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
$4,089 / item
Leather Club Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A leather upholstered club chair, in a vintage cigar brown aniline top-grade leather with a deep upholstered cushion backrest and seat cushion with rollover upholstered arms, finishe...
Leather
$3,223Sale Price|20% Off
ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 GREEN LEATHER HARDWOOD CHESTERFIELD STOOL PiANO BENCH
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
William IV 19th Century Rosewood Caned Bergere Library Chair on Original Castors
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Reading, Berkshire
William IV Rosewood Carved Cane Library Chair on Castors, circa 1830´s A fine authentic William IV rosewood cane library chair, dating to circa 1830. This elegant chair features a ri...
Brass
$7,800 / set
Pair William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs. The chairs have a solid walnut frame and tufted leather upholstery. The chairs have a nice ...
Leather, Walnut
William IV Armchair, Dark Mahogany & Cream Upholstery, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a armchair, its dark mahogany, saber legs, cream upholstered seat the first thing to catch the eye. It was made in France during 19th Century, a lineage that shows clearly in...
Fabric, Mahogany
Diminutive English William IV Recamier with Recent Fabric, circa 1830
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This outstanding form is a visual delight! With a typically shaped and scrolled back, upholstered back and cushion, resting on turned and fluted tapering legs terminating in casters....
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Leather Library Chair, England, Circa 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality mid-19th century William IV period mahogany library armchair of bold proportions having swept and scrolling arms with superbly carved x framed supports, over large b...
Leather, Mahogany
William IV Mahogany & Leather Library Chair
Located in Kent, Dover
An English, William IV mahogany library chair, with fluted legs and anthemion decoration. It has been upholstered in green leather, with buff leather buttoning.
Mahogany
$704Sale 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
$4,098Sale Price|20% Off
SCULPTURAL FRAME ANTiQUE CHESTERFIELD WILLIAM IV BROWN LEATHER LIBRARY ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Antique William IV 1830 hand carved Mahogany Framed with period castors, Brown Leat...
Leather
$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
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
19th Century William IV Tub Chair On Brass Castors, Sabre Legs & Chenille Finish
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th-Century William IV Tub Armchair in Ochre Chenille with Brass Castors A handsome 19th-century William IV tub armchair, combining a softly curved upholstered form with elegant da...
Brass
$1,907Sale Price|30% Off
Antique 19th Century Pair of Mahogany Scroll-Arm Carver Dining Chairs
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique 19th Century Pair of Mahogany Scroll-Arm Elbow Carver Dining Chairs – Fine Quality A rare decorative find, this pair of 19th-century mahogany scroll-arm carver dining chairs...
Wood, Fabric
$2,512Sale Price|35% Off
Antique William IV Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant William IV Antique Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood And Brass Studded Detailing Upon Brass Castors 1800's
Brass
A Pair of 19th Century English William IV Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A pair of nineteenth century William IV mahogany hall chairs, the shaped backs with gadrooned scroll cresting above carved acanthus flanked by further c scrolls,...
Wood
$1,038Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair WIV Mahogany & Carved Hall Chairs
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair WIV Period Mahogany & Carved Hall Chairs circa 1830s Shaped Panel backs, with Scroll, leaf & Tulip carving, Panel seat, cushion moulding under seat, splay back legs, Octagonal ...
Mahogany
$7,103Sale Price|20% Off
A Stunning Antique English Polished Tan Leather Captains Chair With Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Chair 2025 10 WV A stunning example of an English antique 1830's William IV polished tan leather chesterfield captains chair with brass st...
Brass
Set Of Four William IV Anglo-Indian Dining Chairs
Located in Kent, Dover
A set of four finely carved William IV Ango-Indian dining chairs in mahogany, with newly upholstered linen seats.
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Horseshoe back upholstered in green leather with brass tacks. Seat upholstered the same way and with circular fluted tapered legs with brass casters. Scratches to leather seat.
Leather, Mahogany
William IV Design Polished Mahogany Armchair With Cream Damask Floral Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant William IV Designed Polished Mahogany Armchair With Cream Damask Floral Upholstery A modern take on a beautiful antique chair, well made, comfortable with wonderful wood ton...
Damask, Mahogany
$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
Pair of Early 19th Century English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pair of early 19th C. English late Regency or William IV mahogany hall chairs with shaped backs and solid seats, each centered by a hand-painted family crest. The backs feature scr...
Mahogany
William IV Dining Chairs Set 10 Mahogany Revival
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Set of 10 william iv style mahogany dining chairs. These chairs are raised upon ring turned and fluted front legs and sabre back legs. Circa 1920 The front rail having typical willia...
Mahogany
$4,091 / set
Set 8 William IV Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful set of William IV dining chairs These chairs stand upon ''Gillow's'' style turned and fluted front legs and sabre back legs The freshly reupholstered seat is of a lift out ...
Wood
Pair of Antique English Tufted Red Faux Leather Club Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of lady and gentleman William IV English club chairs handcrafted in mahogany featuring alluring red faux leather button tufted upholstery, elegant arms, and turned fron...
Leather
William IV Velvet Scroll Arm Library Slipper Chair In The Manner of Gillows
Located in Reading, Berkshire
William IV Scroll Arm Button Back Library Slipper Armchair With Purple Velvet Button Back Upholstery upon Porcelain & Brass Castors In The Manner of Gillows Extra dimensions Dep...
Brass
$3,059Sale Price|20% Off
Library reading chair with carved swan head detail W1V period
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
William 1V period Mahogany & leather library reading chair Recently covered in leather & coloured to chestnut, brass studded detail Fine pair Mahogany carved Swan Heads elbows Sc...
Leather, Mahogany
Elegant Pair of Carved And Upholstered William IV Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of custom upholstered William IV Side Chairs with exceptional form and fine chosen wood with excellent graining. Square saber form back legs, turned front legs with foli...
Wood
$2,151 / set
Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An outstanding pair of antique William IV period armchairs. They were made in England, they date from around the 1830-40’s. They are of superb quality and are a lovely, compact size...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Hand Carved Mahogany Armorial Hall Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved mahogany hall chairs with armorial backs, hand-turned legs and solid mahogany seats. The chairs with original finish which have been French polished to show a warm...
Mahogany
$1,600Sale Price / set|40% Off
Set of Four William IV Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV, circa 1830-40s, set of 4 dining or side chairs, English. Shaped high upholstered backs. Robustly turned front legs, splayed back legs, mahogany. Attractively upholstered ...
Wood
A Large William IV Mahogany Library Chair in Tan Suede
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A William IV mahogany library chair of large scale, with scrolling arms and uprights, the front legs carved with tulip motives and terminating in brass castors. ...
Mahogany
$1,038 / set
English William IV Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Kent, Dover
An English William IV carved mahogany desk chair, with good patina, with a green wool seat.
Mahogany
William IV Carved Mahogany Library Armchair with Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in London, GB
Constructed in mahogany, rising from caster shod scrolled toe cabriole legs to the front and rear, the knees carved with addorsed 'C' scrolls, dressed with pendant foliates, the seat...
Mahogany