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.
$285Sale Price / set|63% Off
William IVth John Ridgway PAIR Porcelain Plates Hand Painted Botanical, Ca 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful pair of very decorative, Porcelain Botanical plates by John Ridgway, of Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire Potteries, England, dating to the William IVth period of th...
Porcelain
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV quality figured mahogany sideboard having a quality raised superstructure with a shelf supported by attractive turned columns above a figured mahogany sideboard wi...
Mahogany
Large 19th Century William IV Period Burr Walnut Low Open Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Stunning Quality Large 19th-Century Burr Walnut Low Open Bookcase A superb William IV period burr walnut low open library bookcase of impressive scale and exceptional quality, Eng...
Walnut
Large 19th Century Giltwood Faux Bois Overmantel Mirror with Original Mercury Gl
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Large Naturalistic Faux Bois Giltwood Overmantle Mirror. Excellent original clean mirror plate, sparkling mercury glass comes alive once it catches the light. Super statement mirror....
Giltwood
19th Century English Mahogany and Brass Campaign Chest, Small Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century William IV period mahogany campaign box or small chest with brass mounts. An unusual size for this type of chest, quite handsome, and large enough to store a fair amount...
Brass
$1,264
William IV sewing table
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Antique walnut sewing table in good condition. With drawer and pull-out tray for storing sewing supplies. The top can rotate and be folded open to serve as a play table. Also suitabl...
Walnut
Polished Brass Candlestick Lamp with Frosted Glass Petal Shade, 1980s
Located in New Orleans, LA
A quality polished solid brass candlestick accent lamp with a handmade frosted glass petal shade and gold candle drip sleeve. In-line switch and long cord....
Brass
William IV Mahogany Library Table/Desk with Green Leather Inset Writing Surface
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Rectangular mahogany library table fitted with two frieze drawers with turned wooden knobs, the top inset with green tooled leather with a gilt-bordered floral vine decoration. The m...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Mahogany Davenport Desk by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in King's Lynn, GB
An antique solid mahogany Davenport desk, dating to circa 1820–1835, spanning the late Regency and early William IV periods, by Gillows of Lancaster, stamped “Gillows • Lancaster” to...
Leather, Mahogany
Fine Antique William IV Rosewood Card/Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine antique William IV rosewood card/side table with a fantastic figured rosewood top that lifts up and swivels to reveal a green baize interior, super carved frieze supported by a ...
Rosewood
$28,800 / item
Custom English William IV Style Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Handcrafted for us in Cuban mahogany in William IV style, this double pedestal dining table can seat up to 14. Excellent proportions and a superb antique finish define this table. Fr...
Mahogany
$5,800 / set
Circa 1830 William IV Set of 8 Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 William IV period set of 8 dining chairs, English. Carved mahogany in Greco-Roman taste. 2 arms & 6 sides. The broadly proportioned arms are well molded, scrolled & with r...
Wood
Large Unusual Antique 19th Century William IV Quality Mahogany Wardrobe
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large unusual antique 19th Century William IV quality mahogany wardrobe having a quality carved mahogany gallery back above a mahogany chest of three drawers with original turned mah...
Other
William IV Rosewood X-Frame Canterbury, Carved Design, England, 1840
Located in London, GB
A William IV rosewood 3-section X framed Canterbury having carved & scrolled wreath front & back and frieze drawer, supported on turned legs ending on original brass castors.
Rosewood
Rare Georgian Engine Turned Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare Engine Turned Design The Sewing Box of slight sarcophagus shape stood upon four turned ribbed feet. The Sewing Box tapers up to the convex raised lid and features scrolling fl...
Brass
English William IV Style Tilt Top Walnut Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine English William IV style center table veneered in honeyed brown walnut with striking figuring at the center of a circular tilt top with a beveled edge. Raised on an elegantly ...
Walnut
Antique William IV Mahogany Articulating Invalids Reading Table Console Lectern
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive William IV era mahogany Invalids table. Features a rectangular sliding top with a pair of ratcheted reading slopes to one side, over an ad...
Mahogany
19th Century Irish Mahogany Breakfront Wardrobe by Robert Strahan of Dublin
Located in Glasgow, GB
A superb quality and impressive Irish early Victorian flame mahogany breakfront gentleman’s wardrobe by Robert Strahan & Co of Dublin. Made with excepti...
Metal, Brass
Antique Georgian Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
With a Fitted Sewing Box Interior From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box. The Rosewood box of rectangular form extensively inla...
Wood
$9,467Sale Price / set|40% Off
William IV (c1830) solid mahogany square table including 12 chairs
Located in London, GB
William IV mahogany extending dining table, the square top with three solid mahogany leaves over a moulded frieze and turned reeded tapering legs on bronze castors, 342 cm extended, ...
Hardwood
$1,015Sale Price|30% Off
William IV Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table, Circa 1830s
Located in Germantown, MD
A antique William IV mahogany side table from the 1830s period. The table features a rectangular top with a single front drawernwith functional lock and key. It stands on a sturdy oc...
Mahogany
$1,932Sale Price|30% Off
18th C. William IV Style Refinished Mahogany Two Drawer Sewing Table Work Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 18th Century William IV Style Refinished Mahogany Two Drawer Sewing Table or Work Table. Measures 25" in width, 18.5" in depth and stands 29" tall.
Mahogany
$1,328Sale 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
Antique 15ft William IV Extending Dining Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful large antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1830 in date. This amazing table can seat sixteen people in comfort and has been hand-crafted fr...
Mahogany
Carved Oak William IV Pierced And Carved Gothic Hall Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare Carved Oak side chair in the Gothic style dating to 1830-1837 in original condition. The Chair in an overall fine and worn age patina with Classic Gothic Arch back pierced wit...
Oak
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
An exquisite and rare early 19t C Spode cabinet cup and saucer circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
An exquisite and rare early 19t C Spode cabinet cup and saucer. This beautiful and richly decorated Spode cabinet cup and saucer were made at this high quality English porcelain fact...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Mahogany Library Table
Located in Folkestone, GB
A fine quality 19th century English Library Table or Desk. In great original condition and of exceptional colour. The well figured mahogany top aboove an apron with two hidden draw...
Mahogany
19th Century Antique William IV Mahogany Tea/Console Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique William IV mahogany tea/side table having a marvelous mahogany round cornered swivel top opening to reveal a quality figured mahogany inside with a round cornered sha...
Other
19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Pedestal Desk with Leather Top
Located in London, GB
A William IV Mahogany Pedestal Desk Constructed from fine San Domingo mahogany, the desk raised on a plinth and two pedestal supports, each set with three drawers having brass hand...
Brass
Antique English William IV Mahogany Veneer Dining Table, Circa 1850
Located in Queens, NY
English William IV (19th Century) mahogany veneer dining / center table with a circular top resting on a turned pedestal base with three scroll carved legs. Some top surface wear, l...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV mahogany games table, circa 1830. With a D shaped folding mahogany top, a frieze with scroll and leaf form designed ends, a ring turned and bulbous shaped pedestal, restin...
Mahogany
Mid 19th Century William IV Mahogany Chess Lamp Table, England, 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality Mid 19th Century, William IV Period, Mahogany Lamp Table, Or Occasional Table, Having Superbly Figured Circular Top With Attractive Chess Board Inlaid Decoration,...
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
English Brass Figural Knight & Bear Shield Door Stop with Step Back Base, C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass figural knight and decorative bear shield door stop with step back rectangular base, Mid 19th Century. Knighted Guy Earle of Warwick.
Brass, Lead
William IV Mahogany Leather Library Chair, England, Circa 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality mid-19th century William IV period mahogany library armchair of bold proportions having swept and scrolling arms with superbly carved x framed supports, over large b...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Card/Console Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV quality figured mahogany card/console table having a quality figured mahogany crossbanded swivel top opening to reveal a baize interior, figured mahogany shaped fr...
Mahogany
$2,737Sale Price|30% Off
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 Console Serving or Hall Table of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English serving console or hall table of mahogany from the William IV era, featuring a moulded rectangular top set upon four turned legs - attributed to Taylor Brothers of York.
Wood, Mahogany
William IV partners writing desk
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Impressive antique mahogany William IV writing table that can be used from both sides. It is in perfect, original condition. It stands on brass casters. One side has real drawers, th...
Mahogany
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
Antique William IV Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and extremely well made antique William IV writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1850 period. It is of superb quality and has a usefu...
Wood
English William IV Stickware Tunbridge & Rosewood Stationery Box c.1835
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome piece of early Tunbridge Ware dating to around 1835, William IV in era. Made from wood this small stationery box is decorated with intricate Tunbridge Stickware inlay. The interior has been professionally re-lined in a handsome hand-marbled paper; the size of the interior would suit...
Wood
Rare Holland and Sons Furniture William IV Burl Walnut Reading Table, Ca. 1830
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Holland and Sherry
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very Rare Holland and Sons Furniture William IV Burl Walnut Reading Table, Ca. 1830, H 28.5" W 36" Depth 21", Beautiful color and patina and from a prominent mid west family.
Walnut
19th century William IV mahogany library desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century william iv mahogany library desk circa 1835. We are pleased to offer this William IV period library table in it's original patina. Writing surface showcases the beauti...
Mahogany
Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique 19th Century William IV rosewood tea caddy, having a quality shaped rosewood top opening to reveal a fitted interior of a glass tea mixing bowl and a tea lidded compa...
Rosewood
Antique Irish Silver bowl Dublin 1834 John Moore
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Antique Irish Silver bowl, Dublin 1834 John Moore. Large two handled circular bombe form with repoussé and embossed foliage decoration on partial stippled background, rich foliage le...
Sterling Silver
A Very Rare Massive Early 19th Century William IV Country House Dining Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare early 19th Century William IV mahogany extending Country House dining table of grand proportions, finely hand carved with beautifully rich patination and grain. This stu...
Brass
$2,139Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Jardiniere Stand, English, Walnut, Marble, Planter Table, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique jardiniere stand. An English, walnut and marble lamp or planter table, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. A beautifully crafted example, offering superb ...
Marble
Pair of John Gould Hand Colored Framed Lithographs Family of Toucans, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of John Gould hand colored framed lithographs family of toucans. "Pteroglossus Inscriptus" and " Pteroglossus Hypoglaurus" Each signed in plate. Printed by Charles Hullmandell. ...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Architect's Plan Table in Mahogany
Located in London, GB
A rare William IV architect's plan table in mahogany, the top inset with gilt tooled leather above a hinged false drawer front revealing three baize lined trays, on carved bun feet a...
Mahogany
Fine Antique William IV Carved Mahogany Wine Cooler
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine antique William IV carved mahogany wine cooler in a sarcophagus shape boasting fabulous quality expertly carved lift up lid, original fitted interior, beautiful carved mouldings...
Mahogany
$1,916Sale Price|30% Off
Antique 19th Century Pair of Mahogany Scroll-Arm Carver Dining Chairs
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique 19th Century Pair of Mahogany Scroll-Arm Elbow Carver Dining Chairs – Fine Quality A rare decorative find, this pair of 19th-century mahogany scroll-arm carver dining chairs...
Wood, Fabric
William IV 19th century table top writing slope
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
William IV 19th century writing slope circa 1835. Elegant and good quality William IV rosewood writing slope. Clean elegant lines, come with original mother of pearl cartouche, nam...
Wood
William IV Overmantel Mirror
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine William IV rose and giltwood overmantel mirror of severe architectural form, the arched frame of nicely figured timber and having an ogee molded liner with original water gildin...
Rosewood
William IV Period Mahogany Table - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely dining room table from the first part of the 19th century, William IV period, in solid mahogany. Rectangular top with rounded corners in solid mahogany with a fluted edge wit...
Mahogany
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
Antique William IV Silver Claret Jug Wine Ewer Pitcher London London 1837
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Sterling Silver Claret Jug with an elegant chased design covering its exterior. The William IV Jug is embellished with stylised floral, foliate and scroll designs...
Sterling Silver
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 William IV Gonçalo Alves Tripod Music Stand 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This handsome William IV Gonçalo Alves adjustable music stand is circa 1830 in date. The multi position stand has a rising top X slatted slope / book or music rest. There is a flora...
Hardwood