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.
Rosewood Side Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
A rosewood cabinet with ormolu mounts on the doors, a marble top, and carved pilasters each end topped with carved rosettes. The doors possibly grill or fabric lined originally.
Marble, Ormolu
William IV circa 1830 Cuban Hardwood Ornately Cared Sideboard Wine Cellar
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime circa 1830 William IV Cuban mahogany wine cellar sideboard A very fine and significant piece of...
Hardwood
A William IV Mahogany Three Tier Etagere
Located in Reepham, GB
A fine mid-19th-century three-tier mahogany etagere, with highly sculptural end-supports, raised on porcelain castors.England, circa 1840
Mahogany
William IV Whatnot Display Stand
Located in Basildon, GB
An attractive antique 3 tier Whatnot, English polished Walnut with inlaid side decorations and turned baluster's, early 19th century.
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Faux Bamboo Buffet with Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
19th century faux bamboo buffet with a Carrara marble top from France. The top has a lovely matrix and is a nice neutral color to compliment any decor. The case has paneled sides, ...
Carrara Marble
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Group Display Cabinet
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Paul McCobb For Calvin Linear Group Buffet Display Cabinet. The Linear Group was designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture. This piece is comprised of two pieces...
Aluminum
$243
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
Regency Mahogany Side Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Regency style mahogany and burl mahogany banded side cabinet, with three frieze drawers above corresponding oval panel and lozenge inlaid doors enclosing adjustable shelves, w...
Wood
19th Century Solid Mahogany Three Tier Buffet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb solid mahogany three tier buffet from the beginning of the 19th century from England good quality shelf which has a very beautiful turning The three trays are in solid mahogan...
Mahogany
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
H 44 in W 107 in D 25 in
Fine Quality Figured Walnut French Provincial Sideboard Buffet Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality French Provincial sideboard buffet, crafted circa 1920, exemplifies the timeless charm and craftsmanship of early 20th-century provincial furniture. Constructed fro...
Walnut
19th Century French Oak Buffet With Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French oak buffet with marble top offers a distinguished balance of utility and understated elegance. Crafted from solid oak, the ...
Marble
French Buffet Cabinet, Louis XVI Style Ebonized with Marble Top
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French buffet cabinet, Louis XVI style, ebonized with marble top, early 20th century. In the spirit of Hollywood Regency and Maison Jansen. T...
Marble, Bronze
$4,149
H 51.97 in W 27.56 in D 20.87 in
Early 19th Century George IV Period Mahogany 4-Tier Whatnot Étagère
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Very Fine Quality Early 19th-century Georgian 4-tier Mahogany Whatnot Music Stand with Writing Slope A fine-quality, elegant early 19th-century George IV period four-tier mahogany w...
Mahogany
Henredon Vera Cruz Vitrine Display Case Buffet Cabinet
By Henredon
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions of A Henredon Vera Cruz...
Glass, Wood
$5,460
H 35 in W 49.5 in D 21.5 in
French Napoleon III Buffet Cabinet with Its Original Marble Top, circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III buffet, with its original marble top, from the early 19th century. This antique console from France, circa 1820's, features its original marble top over a case which houses a single drawer at top, over a pair of doors (with right door fitted with a single wreath shaped brass escutcheon), and flanked within column form front side posts with decorative brass capitals. The doors open to reveal a single shelf within and plentiful storage. The skirt is clean and linear, with sides having a recessed panel design each. The cabinet is raised on thickly rounded front legs...
Marble
Antique William IV Compactum Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
A superb antique William IV period compactum wardrobe. This was made in England & dates from around the 1830-1840’s period. This is of amazing qual...
Wood
19th Century English Inverted Breakfront Buffet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good early 19th century English painted oak inverted breakfront buffet with heavily molded doors and ogee drawer fronts. 1830. Dimensions: W: 76" (193 cm) H: 40" (101.6 cm) D: 23.5"...
Oak
Sold
H 41.75 in W 38.88 in D 16.38 in
William IV Period Mahogany Butler's Trolley Etagere or Dumbwaiter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV Period English mahogany butler's trolley etagere or dumbwaiter. Circa 1830s-40s. Robust ring turned uprights with mushroom caps & ending in high quality brass caps & caste...
Brass
Circa 1830s William IV Etagere Serving Buffet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV c.1830s etagere serving buffet or buffet trolley. English. Three galleried tiers. Rich dark mahogany. Vasiform columnar uprights with ring t...
Wood
William IV c. 1830 Mahogany Etagere Serving Buffet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV c.1830 etagere serving buffet or buffet trolley. English, mahogany, 3-tiers. Outstanding quality. Shaped backsplat with conical carving at t...
Wood
Circa 1830 William IV Etagere Serving Buffet or Trolley
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV, c.1830, etagere serving buffet or buffet trolley. English. Rich dark mahogany. Three galleried tiers. Robust molded reeding on uprights & f...
Wood
George IV- William IV Period Etagere Serving Buffet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
George IV-William IV period etagere serving buffet or buffet trolley. English, c.1820-30. Three galleried tiers. Mahogany. Heavily ring carved, turned ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 58.75 in W 84 in D 28 in
Antique William IV Carved Oak Pedestal Sideboard & Mirror Buffet Server Barback
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental William IV twin pedestal sideboard, server or barback, circa first half 19th century. A rectangular breakfront form made from oak with ornately carved acanthus scrolling b...
Mirror, Oak
Small Regency Buffet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Small painted Regency two door buffet. 1820. Dimensions 42 inches (107 cms) Wide 20 inches (51 cms) Deep 37 inches (94 cms) High.
Pine
Sold
H 37 in W 85 in D 15 in
19th Century English Flame Mahogany Reverse Breakfront Side Cabinet Buffet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An English reverse-breakfront four-door side cabinet or buffet, the doors with dramatic flame mahogany panels. A bank of interior drawers is fitted in one section; the other three se...
Mahogany
Scottish ‘William IV’ Flame Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Scottish ‘William IV’ flame mahogany sideboard with carved detailing and spiral turned columns, the four doors with flame mahogany and banded ...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century sideboard of mahogany in the style of William IV. The sideboard has a thick mahogany top holding a wide drawer in its frieze, and is supported by two pedestals standing ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 47 in W 44 in D 21 in
English Collapsible or Telescopic Console of Mahogany from the William IV Era
Located in Austin, TX
A fine uncommon English collapsible or telescopic console trolley or buffet table of mahogany from the William IV era, featuring a moulded rectangular top with an internalized mechan...
Metal