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.
$1,314Sale Price|20% Off
Mahogany 4 Tier Whatnot With Single Drawer, Circa 1830
Located in Dereham, GB
Mahogany 4 tier Whatnot with single drawer, circa 1830 4 turned finials on top, 4 tier mahogany shelves, Figured mahogany drawer front, turned knob handles, mahogany drawer linings...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Etagere
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
English William IV mahogany and plum pudding mahogany etagere, circa 1840. With 4 plum pudding mahogany single board shelves, two drawers with wood knobs, turned and carved stiles, r...
Mahogany
Antique Quality William IV Mahogany Freestanding Five Tier Whatnot
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV mahogany freestanding five tier whatnot with five mahogany tiers supported by four unusual, elegant shaped turned supports standing on turned feet. A wonderful ex...
Other
William IV Mahogany Etagere
Located in Greenwich, CT
A William IV etagere in choice mahogany having graceful lines with two vertical curved braces supporting an upper and a lower shelf, each with raise...
Mahogany
Antique Quality William IV Mahogany Freestanding Five Tier Whatnot
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV mahogany freestanding five tier whatnot with five mahogany tiers supported by four unusual, elegant shaped turned supports standing on turned feet. A wonderful ...
Other
IMPORTANT ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 3.5 METER WIDE LIBRARY BOOKCASE BRASS GALLERY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, one of a kind, William IV Breakfront Library bookcase with Brass Gallery rail top and fully height adjustable shelves 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 What a find! This piece has so much going for it I really don’t know where to start, it is William IV 1830, made for a library, it has brass gallery rails to the top of the two side bookcases...
Brass
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Central Standing Buffet Shelves
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Unusual And Very Good Quality Mid 19th Century William IV Period Rosewood Central Freestanding Buffet, Or Shelves, Having Three Exceptionally Well Figured Tiers, Raised ...
Rosewood
19th Century William IV Mahogany Étagère
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century William IV mahogany étagère, colloquially referred to as a ‘whatnot’, with four square shelves above single base drawer with turned knobs, ...
Mahogany
English Chinoiserie & Brass Finial Two Tiered Side Table with Claw Feet, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chinoiserie figural and pagoda two tiered scalloped side table with flanking gilt brass pine cone finials, faux bamboo gilt leg supports, and resting on lions paw claw feet, ...
Brass
$237
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
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Etagere
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century Mahogany campaign etagere. Comprising three rectangular shelves supported by turned columns raised on castors. The shelves are collaps...
Mahogany
$2,413Sale Price|25% Off
H 37.01 in W 20.08 in D 15.16 in
Antique English Victorian Carved Mahogany Whatnot Etagere Shelves C.1880
Located in London, GB
Antique English Victorian carved mahogany whatnot Etagere C.1880 A late Victorian mahogany whatnot, of three open tiers, with finials, a fret carved t...
Mahogany
$2,885
H 53 in W 20 in D 14.5 in
English 19th Century “What Not” Etagere in Mahogany with 4 Tiers and Drawer Belo
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century “What Not” Etagere in Mahogany with 4 Tiers and Drawer Below
Mahogany
$6,306
H 94.49 in W 51.19 in D 22.25 in
Antique English William IV Cuban Mahogany Two Door Bookcase with Writing Drawer
Located in Glasgow, GB
A super quality William IV Cuban mahogany two door bookcase / cabinet dating to c.1830. With a stepped moulded cornice above two glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, the base w...
Brass
$1,748
H 39.77 in W 51.19 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Wood Three Shelves Open Bookcase Library
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian walnut, carved, three shelves, open bookcase, with great details and beveled edges and frames with beautiful burl wood pattern decors all around the piece and bla...
Wood, Glass
$1,806
H 40.16 in W 36.62 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Wood Three Shelves Bookcase Library
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian walnut, carved, three shelves and two side doors bookcase, with great details and frames shaped in Victorian, Napoleon III, Louis XV style with beautiful burl woo...
Wood
English Regency Mahogany Étagère or Library Stand, circa 1815
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this elegant circa 1815, English Regency period, étagère or library stand of unusual form and mahogany construction with top platform on turne...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,494Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 63.78 in W 33.86 in D 11.42 in
1920s Antique Globe Wernicke Stacking Barrister's Bookcase, USA
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An attractive American Globe-Wernicke stacking barrister’s bookcase dating from the 1920s, constructed in richly toned wood and arranged as four glazed stacking sections above a rais...
Brass
Antique Quality 19th Century William IV Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique William IV mahogany bookcase having a shaped cornice to the upper section over a pair of mahogany doors with brass grilles opening to reveal an interior with three ad...
Mahogany
Mahogany Four-Tiered, Single Drawer Etagere
Located in Huntington, NY
Mahogany Four-Tiered, Single Drawer Etagere
Brass
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
c. 1830s William IV English Butler's Serving Etagere
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830s William IV dumbwaiter trolley or butler's serving etagere, English. Fine mahogany timbers. Bold, inverted, tapered, gadrooned columns an...
Wood
Sold
H 42.75 in W 46.75 in D 18.5 in
Circa 1830s William IV English Dumbwaiter Trolley or Butler's Serving Etagere
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830s William IV dumbwaiter trolley or butler's serving etagere, English. Fine mahogany timbers. Bold, inverted tapered, reeded gadrooned colu...
Wood
Antique British Colonial Four Tiered Stand or Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout 19th Century English stand handcrafted in rosewood in an elegant form with four tiers featuring turned finials on turned supports one drawer in the bottom case and brass cas...
Brass
English 19th Century Mahogany Trolley
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An English tea trolley or butler’s trolley with architectural inspiration. This 19th century mahogany antique has great presence in any room, notable f...
Brass
19th Century William IV Rosewood Whatnot
Located in Richmond, Surrey
19th Century William IV Rosewood Whatnot, with brass gallery, over three tiers raised on turned spiral barley twist rosewood uprights, with a drawer to one shelf, all standing on tur...
Rosewood
Sold
H 47 in W 43 in D 18 in
A William IV Period Solid Mahogany Three-Tier Dumbwaiter, English, ca. 1830
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A William IV Solid Mahogany Dumbwaiter, the three shelves made from one board, with reeded posts and capitals, on original castors. Beautifully patinated plum-colored mahogany.
Mahogany
William IV Library Shelves or Etagere of Mahogany from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English library shelf etagere or trolley server of mahogany from the William IV period, featuring three tiers with edge-moulded tops, the top with serpentine back and side gal...
Metal, Brass
Large 19th Century Mahogany Open Breakfront Library Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Large 19th century, early Victorian period solid mahogany breakfront open library bookcase. Each section has two adjustable shelves, providing substantial display space for books, flanked by six carved reeded pillars or columns with capitals. All standing on a plinth base. Superb quality, excellent colour and in great condition. The dimensions are: Height: 116cm (45.7in) Width: 246cm (96.9in) Depth: 41cm (16.1in). This antique William IV period mahogany library breakfront bookcase remains structurally solid and sound. Comes apart in five sections for ease of transport. Overall, a clean example. In good antique condition throughout with little signs of age. Our workshops inspects, repairs, and restores all our items, so you can have full confidence that what you buy from us is ready for your home! We’re friendly and enthusiastic people who deeply care about providing professional and exceptional service to you! We have a vast range of antique furniture online...
Mahogany
William 4th Freestanding Marble Topped Rosewood Bookcase
Located in Sherborne, GB
A free standing marble topped William 4th rosewood bookcase. The bookcase consists of two adjustable shelves, flanked by two pillars with carved leaf capi...
Marble
Original Painted Scottish Deed Rack
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good 19th C Scottish original painted pine deed rack. 1830 Dimensions 28.5 inches (72 cms) wide 17 inches (43 cms) deep 87 inches (221 cms) high.
Pine
Sold
H 74.22 in W 36.03 in D 14.18 in
IMPORTANT ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 3.5 METER WiDE LIBRARY BOOKCASE BRASS GALLERY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, one of a kind, William IV Breakfront Library bookcase with Brass Gallery rail top and fully height adjustable shelves 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 What a find! This piece has so much going for it I really don’t know where to start, it is William IV 1830, made for a library, it has brass gallery rails to the top of the two side bookcases...
Brass
Antique William IV Open Bookcase
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique William IV period open bookcase. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840’s. It is of amazing quality and is a very useful size, with three ad...
Wood