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 Edward Holmes Baldock Ormolu Pier Cabinet with Blake Marquetry
By Edward Holmes Baldock, Robert Blake
Located in King's Lynn, GB
Here we have an extraordinary ormolu-mounted pier cabinet with a smoothly bevelled Vert Maurin marble top (a green marble from the French Alps), made circa 1820–1840 and formerly ret...
Marble, Ormolu
William IV Rosewood Breakfront Side Cabinet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV rosewood breakfront side cabinet, with a later dark grey marble top above four doors each enclosing a shelf and re-lined in pleate...
Rosewood
William IV Satinwood Breakfront Chiffonier, Marble Top, England, 1835
Located in London, GB
A William IV period satinwood inverted breakfront Chiffonier, having replacement black fossil marble top above central open bookshelves and two brass grill silk pleated doors, flanke...
Marble
William IV Sideboard or Chiffonier Server of Mahogany with Acanthus Leaf Accents
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English console sideboard or chiffonier server of flame-cut mahogany from the William IV period, featuring a moulded-edge rectangular top, supported by scrolling acanthus leaf...
Wood, Mahogany
William IV Cabinet Sideboard Burr Walnut 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A very unusual William IV side cabinet featuring the highest quality burr walnut veneers Period William IV - 19th century Standing upon a plinth base with 2 working cupboards The cup...
Walnut
William IV Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
With removable triangular cornice with Greek inspired carved decoration over a pair of glazed doors enclosing glass shelves with silk lined interior with two professional mounted rec...
Glass, Rosewood
English Regency Side Cabinet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty English regency bleached pine faux bamboo side cabinet. 1820. Height to worktop: 30.5-inches Code: 8965 Dimensions: W: 32" (81.3 cm) H: 34.5" (87.6 cm) D: 21" (53.3 cm)
Faux Bamboo, Pine
$2,486Sale Price|32% Off
Early 19th Century Oak Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century oak bookcase cabinet of nice proportions, the arched cornice above three shelves with reeded edges supported by finely turned an...
Oak
$1,713Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century mahogany side cabinet
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century mahogany chiffonier / side cabinet, the arched cornice with a panelled back, finely turned columns supporting a single shelf, the bottom section having two frieze drawer...
Mahogany
$9,800 / set
Pair of William IV Mahogany Pedestal Cabinets
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderful pair of William IV mahogany and mahogany veneer pedestal cabinets. Circa 1835.
Mahogany
IMPORTANT CARVED BOOKCASE CABiNET FROM THE BATE COLLECTION IN OXFORD UNIVERSITY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite hand carved with Musical instruments, library bookcase cabinet, made for Charles T...
Glass, Oak
RARE WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 HARDWOOD LIBRARY FOLIO CABiNET WITH DRAWERS BOOKCASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime highly collectable, fully restored, solid hardwood William IV Library Folio cabinet with drawers and bookc...
Leather, Hardwood
Rare Pair of Huge William IV 1830 Flamed Hardwood Side Cabinets Campaign Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of very rare, original William IV oversized side cupboards with Lion hairy paw feet These are exquisite, I’ve honestly never ...
Hardwood
A Fabulous Early 19th Century William IV Marble Top Side Cabinet
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous early 19th Century William IV well figured rosewood marble top four door breakfront side cabinet of exceptional quality, finely hand carved with beautifully rich patinatio...
Marble, Brass
William IV Rosewood Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
With a three quarter brass gallery shelf supported on columns with mirror superstructure over a top with two adjustable shelves and a plinth base. Sides with brass grillwork.
Brass
A William IV satinwood display cabinet attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV satinwood display cabinet attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock, the upper section with a marble top and ormolu gallery above two large glazed doors, the lower section in the form of a bureau plat with the original leather inset writing surface and three disguised frieze drawers, all raised upon cabriole legs, decorated overall with floral marquetry in exotic woods including tulipwood, purpleheart and fruitwoods, with superb fire-gilded ormolu mounts including elaborate goddess masks. English, circa 1830. Footnote: Edward Holmes Baldock, (1777-1845) was one of the first London antique dealers, in the modern sense of the word. He principally dealt in 18th century French furniture...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Rosewood Breakfront Cabinet
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century rosewood inverted breakfront side cabinet, having a green marble top above a central open compartment with two adjustable shelves, flanked by two pleated fabric panel doors...
Rosewood
Antique William & Mary Style Oak Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique William and Mary style oak cabinet, circa 1900. With a single board oak top with molded front and side edges, two top drawers each with two inset panels and brass hardware, s...
Brass
$7,950
H 47 in W 41.13 in D 15.88 in
English William IV Chinoiserie Painted Chiffonier-form Cabinet, circa 1835
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this wonderful circa 1835 English William IV period chiffonier-form cabinet painted black with allover chinoiserie architectural, landscape, a...
Brass
$4,144 / set
H 44.3 in W 18.12 in D 23.63 in
Rare Pair of Huge William IV 1830 Flamed Hardwood Side Cabinets Campaign Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of very rare, original William IV oversized side cupboards with Lion hairy paw feet These are exquisite, I’ve honestly never ...
Hardwood
$5,800
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury Black Lacquered Italian Credenza with Gold Leaf Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury black lacquered credenza with a sets of drawers and shelves, red lacquered inside. Gold leaf glass top.
Wood, Lacquer
Pair Boulle Pier Cabinet Ebonised Inlay Antique 1850
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful Pair of French Ebonised and Boulle Pier Cabinets. Circa 1850 These Cabinets are Raised Upon Shaped Plinth Bases. Each Cabinet Having 1 Glazed Door Which Opens to Reveal She...
Glass, Wood
Edwardian Breakfront Bookcase of Mahogany from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English breakfront open bookcase of mahogany from the Edwardian era, featuring a frieze of three sections, with molded cornice and decorative beaded accents, the interior with...
Metal
Fine Quality Mahogany William IV Breakfront Front Sideboard
Located in Benington, Herts
A fine quality William IV flame mahogany inverted breakfront sideboard of good color. English, circa 1835 The raised carved back having a central anthemion cartouche, ...
Mahogany
French Art Deco Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An excellent quality French cabinet, produced in the 1920’s with crisp carving to the center between the doors, solid oak with solid oak liners, both doors are lockable with one key ...
Rosewood
Sold|$2,307
H 38.19 in W 29.93 in D 11.82 in
Victorian Antique English Rosewood Pier Cabinet with Glazed Front Circa 1800's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stunning Antique English Rosewood Glazed Pier Cabinet with Lattice Gilt Metal, Ebonsied Finish & Inlay Interior is lined with Fabric & Comes With A Working Key With Silk Swing Tag ...
Brass
Victorian Pier Cabinet Antique Display Case 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous period Victorian pier cabinet This cabinet is raised upon turned bun feet with a plinth base. Circa 1860 The cabinet features 1 glazed door with a marquetry panel above The ...
Glass, Wood
$1,155Sale Price|30% Off
H 37.01 in W 21.26 in D 13.78 in
19th Century Antique Inlaid Burr Walnut Music Stand / Pier Display Cabinet
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
19th Century Antique Inlaid Burr Walnut Music Stand / Pier Display Cabinet – Fine Quality with Exceptional Colour and Patina A fine quality 19th Century Antique Burr Walnut Music St...
Walnut
Pair of Antique William IV Mahogany Hall Cabinets
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of 19th century William IV hall cabinets. The cabinets were built in solid mahogany wood and have three interior shelves as well as a exterior ledge. The cabinets are bea...
Wood
Circa 1830s-40s William IV English Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830s-40s William IV bookcase cabinet, English. Dentil crown molding over glazed door upper bookcase with 3 adjustable shelves. Medial decorated frieze comprised of 2 felt line...
Felt, Glass, Wood
English Painted Display Cabinet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Fabulous early 19th C English painted oak Gothic glazed display cabinet. 1830. Reference: 8192 Dimensions 49.5 inches (126 cms) Wide 15 inches (38 cms) Deep 77.5 inches (197 cms) ...
Oak
William IV Side Cabinet, Rosewood Sideboard Antique Server
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive William IV rosewood side cabinet. 19th century Raised upon a plinth base with 4 arched doors, each door having half turned mouldings. The cabinet features turned column...
Rosewood
Danish Mid-19th Century Mahogany Glazed Display Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish Mid-19th Century mahogany glazed display cabinet, circa 1860. Good quality danish piece of furniture with strong earlier 19th century english and french influences. Cadd...
Glass, Mahogany
Sold
H 99 in W 89 in D 21.25 in
Fine Early William IV Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Firmly Attributed Gillows
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine early William IV mahogany breakfront bookcase firmly attributed Gillows of Lancaster, in four sections, the top with astragal glazed doors enclosing four adjustable shelves between reeded pilasters with anthemion scroll corbels, the base with four panelled arched doors between acanthus scroll and reeded pilasters, the frieze with two short drawers and a central secretaire drawer fitted with a reading slope and two slides above small compartments, decorated throughout with rich book-matched veneers. The secretaire drawer stamped ‘Preston’. English, circa 1835. Footnote: Many closely related acanthus carved terminals, anthemion corbels and other typical Gillows features can be seen on the pair of bookcases, on this website, made by Gillows & Co for the library at Dallam Tower, Cumbria in 1829, and on a bookcase shown in Susan E. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2008, vol. I, p.379, pl.450. A similar large breakfront bookcase...
Mahogany
Fine and Rare Anglo-Indian Padouk Wood Cabinet in Two Sections
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine and rare Anglo-Indian padouk wood cabinet on chest, the upper section with paneled doors opening to reveal 11 shelves lined in Fortuny style fabric over a central pull out she...
Brass
William IV Figured Walnut Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Of simple design, in two parts with rectangular molded cornice over a pair of glazed doors now enclosing glass shelves and lights , base section with pair of paneled doors...
Walnut
William IV Rosewood Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with rounded ends over a conforming case with central open bookcase containing two adjustable shelves, flanked by a pair of curved grill cabinet...
Rosewood
Sold
H 91.54 in W 59.45 in D 16.93 in
Very fine Early 19th Century William IV Period Open Mahogany Library Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very fine early 19th century, William IV period mahogany open library bookcase, the moulded cornice above an open bookcase with adjustable shelves, the lower section with two panelled cupboard doors, standing on an integral plinth base. England circa 1830. Great quality with a lovely warm patina. The dimensions are: Height: 232.5cm (91.5in) Width: 151cm (59.4in) Depth: 43cm (16.9in) Great quality. A good piece of Georgian antique furniture...
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Library Bookcase
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this William IV period mahogany Library Bookcase, circa 1835. The moulded cornice and plain frieze, above four gilt brass grille doors enclosing ad...
Mahogany
Danish Mid 19th Century Mahogany Glazed Display Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century mahogany glazed display cabinet circa 1860. Good quality Danish piece of furniture with strong earlier 19th century english and french influences. Caddy...
Leather, Glass, Mahogany