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
Antique Restored Leather William IV Hardwood Chesterfield Captains Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, antique, fully restored original mahogany framed circa 1830 hand dyed Chesterfield Bordeaux leather director's chair. Please note t...
Leather, Hardwood
English William IV Set of 8 Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Perkasie, PA
English William IV Set of 8 Mahogany Dining Chairs – Item 74277 This stunning set of eight English William IV mahogany dining chairs offers an exceptional combination of authentic 1...
Velvet, Wood
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
ANTiQUE ROBERT DAWS HARDWOOD NAPOLEONIC BLUE LEATHER RECLINING LIBRARY ARMCHAIR
By Robert Daws
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct, fully stamped Robert Daws, William IV circa 1830 Mahogany recl...
Hardwood
$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
$1,746Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830 Beautifully constructed with a carved walnut frame of a warm patination. Good solid construction with traditional ...
Wool, Walnut
William IV Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine original condition Library Chair with Leather Seat. The frame with handsome wood graining, pierced splat back, and overall sinuous form and having castored front legs. With g...
Brass
$4,750 / set
Pair of Antique English Petite Side Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of English 19th century William IV side or boudoir chairs crafted in mahogany in petite form having carved floral handles on the tops over velvet upholstery with button...
Brass
William IV Rosewood Chaise Longue Attributed to Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV rosewood chaise longue attributed to Gillows, with deeply carved scroll terminals and arms, and turned tapering legs on disguised castors.
Leather, Rosewood
"Worrell" by Lee Stanton English Wing Chair in Belgian Linen or Custom Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Worrell by Lee Stanton Editions is an English-style wing chair with tapered wood feet and rolled arms. Upholstered in cream-colored Belgian linen, the chair can also be upholster...
Upholstery
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 Barber's or Dentist's Chair, England, circa 1830
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mahogany barber's or dentist's chair with single back splat and two smaller side splats with heart shape cut-outs and hand woven cane seat. The sturdy scrolling arms curving around, ...
Mahogany, Cane
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
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
Set of 6 Antique William IV Quality Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Set of 6 antique William IV quality mahogany dining chairs having a quality mahogany back with a carved splat to the centre, drop in seats standing on elegant turned tapering legs to...
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Morning Room Elbow Chairs, English, Reception Seat, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique morning room elbow chairs. An English, mahogany lounge or reception hall seat, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Excellent seating, with strikin...
Cotton, Mahogany
Early 19th Century William IV Period Upholstered High Back Wing Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Handsome Late Georgian William IV Mahogany High-Back Wing Armchair A superb late Georgian, early William IV period high-back wing armchair in finely carved solid mahogany, very ...
Fabric, Damask, Mahogany
$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
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
$703Sale 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
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
RESTORED FLAMED HARDWOOD LION CARVED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV SOFA CUPBOARD LOCK ARMS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 1830 Flamed Mahogany William IV sofa with ornately hand carved arm panels depicting L...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Mahogany
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
Fine Quality William IV Mahogany Button Back Chair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A fine quality William IV mahogany button back chair This is a superbly comfortable arm chair, it has a curved deeply buttoned back, the chair is...
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
Antique Fine Quality Set of 4 William IV Carved Rosewood Dining Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Finest quality set of 4 antique William IV rosewood carved dining chairs having an ornate carved shaped back and carved centre splat. Drop in seats which have been newly reupholstere...
Rosewood
RESTORED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV CHESTERFIELD BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAIR + WRITING SLOPE
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed Cigar brown leather, period William IV Chesterfield Librar...
Brass
Fine Antique 1830 William iv Cockfighting Brown Leather Chair Original Castors
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this important handmade made in England circa 1830 William IV Cockfighting armchair. This really is an exquisite armchair, it is pure art furni...
Leather, Hardwood
Early 19th Century French Chair and Daybed Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This versatile piece serves as both a comfortable chair and an inviting daybed, reflecting the timeless elegance of early 19th-century French design. Freshly reupholstered in flax-co...
Linen
Antique William IV Period Cane and Leather Armchair
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very well made antique William IV period leather caned armchair. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. It is of very fine quality, the...
Leather, Cane, Wood
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Period Mahogany & Leather Library Armchair, circa 1835
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very stylish, high-quality 19th-century William IV period library armchair in mahogany and buttoned leather. Circa 1835 and in lovely original condition. This attractive library ar...
Leather, Mahogany
Restored William IV Reclining Library Reading Brown Leather Armchair Footstool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct William IV circa 1835 mahogany reclining library reading armchair with built in footrest This chair...
Leather, Hardwood
William IV Shaped Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William lV shaped mahogany library chair of generous proportions. Reupholstered in our own workshops in distressed burgundy leather. Raised on turned legs and brass casters.
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Antique Hall Chairs, English, Reception Seat, Morning Room, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of hall chairs. An English, fine mahogany morning room or reception seat, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Fine period seating, ideal for the reception ha...
Cotton, Mahogany
PAIR OF EXQUISITE ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV FLAMED HARDWOOD CIRCA 1830 CLUB ARMCHAIRs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, recently reupholstered pair of rare circa 1830 William IV club armchairs with sublime Flamed ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Oak Leather Library Chair
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A fantastic quality C19th carved oak library open arm chair of generous proportions, the shapely back with carved lappets and moulded frame leading onto scrolled arm supports with further lappets below and carved gothic quatrefoils with moulded rails, raised on carved legs with large brass buckets...
Brass
Antique Restored William iv Period circa 1830 Wingback Brown Leather Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very uniquely shaped, Circa 1830 William IV, brown leather and Mahogany Wingback armchair with ornately carved frame A simply glorious pie...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Kittinger William and Mary Style Walnut Bench or Low Sofa Table
By Kittinger
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Kittinger William and Mary Style Walnut Bench or Low Sofa Table.
Walnut
Antique Willian IV Quality Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Willian IV quality mahogany desk chair having a quality mahogany shaped top and centre splat, shaped scroll open arm, newly reupholstered drop in seat in a quality fabric sta...
Other
19th Century William IV Mahogany Windsor Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century William IV mahogany Windsor chair. This bow back desk chair has been recovered with a tan leather button upholstered crest rail and seat. The carved splat features C-Scr...
Brass
William IV Bergere Chair, Antique Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive Mahogany William IV Bergere Chair. 19th century Having Ring turned front legs with brass castors and sabre back legs. Turned Arm supports and reeded Arms. The Cresting...
Mahogany
VERY FiNE RESTORED ANTIQUE CHESTERFIELD WILLIAM IV OAK BROWN LEATHER DESK CHAIr
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite and very well made, English circa 1830 William IV limed oak and leather, chesterfield desk chair...
Leather, Oak
PAiR OF GEORGE SMITH WILLIAM IV LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS UNIQUE UPHOLSTERY
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of George Smith William IV RRP £16,000 Library armchairs with stunning upholstery Pleas...
Upholstery
ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 CHESTERFIELD TUFTED BARLEY TWIST FRAME LEATHER ARMCHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning antique circa 1830 William IV Chesterfield tufted library armchair with faded oxblo...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Estate Chapel Organist's Stool, Scottish, Walnut Music Riser, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique estate chapel organist's stool. A Scottish, walnut and leather music riser stool in Gothic Revival taste, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Fascinating...
Leather, Walnut
Pair William IV Chairs, Antique Mahogany Chair
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair of Mahogany William IV side chairs. These pretty chairs stand on ring turned and carved front legs with sabre back legs. Having serpentine shaped seat fronts (the seats have r...
Mahogany
Quality Pair of Antique William IV Carved Hardwood Side/Desk Chairs, circa 1830
Located in Suffolk, GB
A quality pair of antique William IV carved hardwood side/desk chairs. This pair has a very attractively carved top rail and centre splat. They have been tastefully reupholstered in ...
Hardwood
$17,500
Georgian Swivel Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A rare and unusual Georgian desk chair with a half round back on a swivelling base. Substantial mahogany construction with a show-wood burl arms a...
Leather, Mahogany
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
Late 19th Century English Reclining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This English reclining lounge chair is a remarkable example of pre-modern craftsmanship. The chair features a turned mahogany frame that supports a fully adjustable back and a slide-...
Linen, Mahogany
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
Labeled 19th Century London Made Reclining Mechanical Library Chair on Castors
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic piece of labeled 19th century London made metamorphic furniture in recently tufted leather by J. Ward, “manufacturer to the Queen and royal family”. The chair reclines (from 34” to 62” with ottoman slid in place) with leather wrapped chains from a wheel on the side. The sides open up from both sides. There is an adjustable ottoman...
Bronze
Set William IV Dining Chairs Period 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A fine set of eight William IV dining chairs of elegant proportions and excellent craftsmanship Period 19th Century antique William IV chairs We have various dining tables to match i...
Wood
A Nineteenth Century William IV Oak and Leather Library Bergere
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840. A William IV period oak library bergère, the scrolling top rail carved with foliate designs, surmounting ring turned spindles and scrolling arms rests carved wi...
Leather, Oak
English Mahogany Leather Wing Back Chair With Acanthus Ball & Claw Feet. C .1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany leather wing back chair with acanthus carved skirt, knee, and terminating on ball and claw feet. Mid 19th Century
Brass
An Overscale William IV 19th Century Library Armchair in Tan Suede
Located in London, GB
A fine mid 19th century mahogany armchair of generous scale with boldly carved frame of acanthus levels supported on tapering legs terminating in brass castors. Upholstered in beige ...
Suede, Wood
$2,430Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Morning Room Chair, English, Silk Cotton, Side Seat, William IV, C.1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique morning room chair. An English, rosewood and embroidered silk cotton side seat, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Exquisite upholstery over a beautiful...
Wood
SUBLIME ANTiQUE RESTORED ENGLISH OAK & HAND DYED LEATHER WILLIAM MORRIS ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very unique circa 1830-1840 fully restored English oak and had dyed brown leather William Morris Librar...
Leather