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.
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
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
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
"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
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
$5,447 / set
H 44.1 in W 31.89 in D 35.83 in
VINTAGE OXBLOOD CLAW & BALL FEET DAMASK LEATHER WiNGBACK ARMCHAIR & FOOTSTOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning English Oxblood leather with Majestic Damask Gold leather pattern Wingback armchair and matchi...
Leather
Early 19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Mahogany
Mahogany neoclassical daybed, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Neoclassical lounge chair, daybed, recamier in carved mahogany with the back describing a wave. France, 19th c.
Mahogany
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
$3,578 / set
H 47.25 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
20th Century Pair of English Leather Wingback Armchairs, circa 1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A truly stunning example of English leather craftsmanship, these leather wingback armchairs have an exceptionally rare studded seating and headrest, with brass studs on the armrest. ...
Leather
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
$5,309
H 26.38 in W 72.84 in D 28.55 in
A Very Beautiful French Leather Daybed, France Early 20th Century, Club Chair
Located in Hastings, GB
A Very Beautiful French Leather Daybed, France Early 20th Century, Club Chair This early 20th century French leather banquette is simply gorge...
Leather, Velvet
$8,274 / set
H 39.77 in W 30.71 in D 39.77 in
Pair of Antique Claw & Ball Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Wingback Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of his & her’s fully restored Wingback armchairs in hand dyed brown leather and finished ...
Leather
$8,274 / set
H 43.9 in W 28.75 in D 31.11 in
Regency circa 1815 Fluted Barrel Back Leather Wing Armchair and Matching Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original hand dyed Regency circa 1815 fluted barrel back armchair and matching footstool A lovely pair and of the finest quality ...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 34.26 in
19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent 18th century French Louis XV period daybed. The bed needs a reupholstered , we can do it with the color velvet you choose.
Velvet, Walnut
$9,653
H 53.94 in W 30.12 in D 32.29 in
Antique 1840 Museum Quality Claw & Ball Carved Feet Wingback Very Large Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime, museum quality extra large Wingback armchair with ornately carved Claw & Ball legs What a chair, you will never see ano...
Upholstery, Hardwood
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
Sold
H 44.69 in W 29.53 in D 32.68 in
Mahogany & Leather Wing Library chair with Reading Lectern circa 1830s
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
William 1V Period Mahogany & Leather Wing Library chair with Reading Lectern circa 1830s Recently Re covered in leather upholstery, with brass studs &...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of William IV Style Leather Mahogany Library Wingback Chairs
By Barclay Butera
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of bespoke leather and mahogany library chairs or wingback chairs made in the English William IV taste by Barclay Butera Newport Beach, CA. The chairs feature a maho...
Brass
Irish William IV Mahogany Library Chair of Grand Scale
Located in Greenwich, CT
Bold Irish 19th century mahogany library chair with olive tufted leather upholstery having richly carved scroll arms and back, the legs with lion masks and paw feet, retaining an old...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of George II Wingback Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Substantial and comfortable wing chairs have carved cabriole ball-in-claw and leaf legs, separate cushions and are upholstered in beige fabric. Measures: Arm height 25.75".
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of George II Wingback Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Substantial and comfortable wing chairs have carved cabriole ball-in-claw and leaf legs, separate cushions and are upholstered in beige fabric. Arm height: 25.75".
Fabric, Mahogany