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.
William IV Mahogany Sideboard, English, Architectural Design, c1835
Located in High Peak, GB
St019 William IV two door mahogany sideboard, having architectural pediment to the back, supported on turn columns, figured mahogany top and two shaped frieze drawers flanked with ac...
Mahogany
English Lead Figural Fountain of Musical Pan with Flanking Plumbed Flutes C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead figural fountain of musical pan with flanking plumbed flutes standing atop a circular globe and resting on an octagonal base with flanking frogs. Mid 19th Century. Fount...
Copper, Lead
PAIR William IV Solid Mahogany Wine Tables, One Board Tops, English, ca. 1840
Located in Banner Elk, NC
PAIR of Willian IV Solid Mahogany Wine Tables, the circular tops formed from a single timber, with molded edge, on a tripod base, the notched and carved posts above three intricately...
Mahogany
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
A Pair of 19th Century William IV Shield Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
English, circa 1830 A pair of mid nineteenth century mahogany hall chairs, with shaped seats and backs, painted shield motif, and turned front legs. Height 87.00cm Width of seat ...
Wood
Antique 19th Century English William IV Brass Rosewood Needlepoint Screens 1830
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of Antique 19th Century English William IV Brass and Rosewood Needlepoint Fire/Pole Screens, Circa 1830. The screens having brass stems with turned finials mounted with a...
Brass
William IV Rosewood Occasional Side Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV Rosewood Occasional Table - octagonal topped with carved detail to the undertier on fluted column terminating on paw feet - 17" x 17" x 28.5"
Rosewood
Pair Of 19th century Ormolu Swan Candlesticks After William Bateman II
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A pair of 19th century English ormolu and parcel silvered swan candlesticks after an 1834 design by William Bateman II for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Each leafy acanthus-form nozzl...
Bronze
Blue & White Footed Bowl With Lid "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Footed Bowl With Lid "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ironstone
Ceramic
A William IV Mahogany drop leaf small side table with two drawers and side hatch
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and exceptionally well looked after small William IV drop leaf side table hand carved from solid Mahogany with book matched top and drop leaves, two small drawers...
Marble, Brass
Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large and impressive William IV tea caddy of sarcophagus form in exotic woods. The exterior in nicely grained contrasting dark and light woods bordered with gadroon moldings and with...
Wood
Circa 1825-35 Regency-William IV Period English Writing Table Desk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1825-35 English Writing Table Desk, Regency-William IV period. Raised on an exceptional scroll & leaf carved yew wood base. This spectacular marquetry & line inlaid sof...
Leather, Baize, Wood, Oak, Yew
English William IV Period Satinwood & Leather Library Steps, 3rdq 19th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
in the form of a rectangular box raised on turned legs, the top and pull-out step with stenciled leather insets, the interior lined in green velvet, depth with step extended 23.5 inches
Satinwood
$1,045 / set
English William IV Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Kent, Dover
An English William IV carved mahogany desk chair, with good patina, with a green wool seat.
Mahogany
$760Sale Price|20% Off
c. 1835 English William IV Ottoman or Bench
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 curule form William IV ottoman or bench, English. Carved mahogany. A shield is carved at the center of the leg with whorls at the ends of each scrolled section. Well turne...
Wood
19th Century Gillows Rosewood Turnover Top Card and Games Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Altrincham, GB
19thC Gillows rosewood turnover top games table, with green baize lined interior, with turned and carved supports, centre stretcher and downswept legs ...
Baize, Rosewood
$688Sale Price|20% Off
Large Antique Reference Book, Public Records, English, Parliament, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique reference book, General Report on the Public Records. Printed in English, a later bound House of Commons record, dating to the William IV period, published 18...
Paper
Antique Sterling Silver Goblet by Robert Garrard II, 1834
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver goblet made by Robert Garrard II; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver goblet has a plain bell shaped form onto a cylindrical pedestal and plain circular spreading foot with a collet rim. The surface of this silver goblet is plain and unembellished, with an applied moulded border to the upper rim. The underside of the goblet bears the later engraved inscription 'Bartle Henry Arbuthnot Frere, from is Grandfather, 1938'. This antique silver goblet...
Sterling Silver
$7,027Sale Price|20% Off
William IV Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms on Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stylish William IV 1700's Hardwood Cane Bergere Library Armchair With Scrolled Arms and Original Brass Castors on Fluted Supports. Chair comes with a new brown leather piped cushion...
Brass
Antique English Flip Top Campaign Desk on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Remarkable rare 19th Century gentleman's traveling desk handcrafted in mahogany with geometric inlays, featuring a flip top compartment with tooled leather writing surfaces over stor...
Brass
Early 19th Century William IV Gilt Convex Mirror Country House Antique
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A good sized early 19th century gesso and gilt convex mirror, in unrestored original condition. With areas of loss, abrasions and scuffs. The original mirror plate has areas of oxidi...
Gesso, Mirror, Pine
Antique William IV Walnut Partners Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique William IV walnut partners writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. The quality is outstanding, this is as fine a ...
Leather, Walnut
Small English Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A rare small antique English mahogany server or sideboard, William IV in style, with an uncommon form, beautiful faded mahogany and a sculpted, carved gallery depicting shells, waves...
Mahogany
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
William IV Mahogany Library Armchair, Upholstered, England, Circa 1835
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 19th Century, William IV Period, Mahogany Library Armchair Of Good Bold Proportions, Having Upholstered Scrolling Back And Arms With Moulded Decoration, Over Gene...
Mahogany
19th Century William IV style White Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century White William IV style Chesterfield Sofa with new upholstery on casters
Upholstery, Wood
William IV Mahogany Dining Table, Thomas Treherne 1835-1842
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
An impressive William IV figured mahogany extending dining table dating to the 1830s . This table comes with provenance and is stamped with the makers details . The table was ori...
Mahogany
Wellington chest of drawers in satinwood with 7 drawers of increasing depth.
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Beautiful Wellington chest of drawers in satinwood with 7 drawers of increasing depth. The idea behind the 7 drawers is to have one drawer for every day of the week. In good and enti...
Satinwood
19th century William IV mahogany pedestal sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century William IV mahogany pedestal sideboard circa 1830. Good quality William IV period sideboard comprising of 3 parts. Top surface with carved gallery to the back. 4 drawer...
Mahogany
ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV 1830 GREEN LEATHER HARDWOOD CHESTERFIELD STOOL PiANO BENCH
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare, original William IV Circa 1830, fully restored, Chesterfield Regency Green leather Piano bench...
Leather, Hardwood
Inlaid Bow Front Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
A fine English mahogany bow front chest with satinwood crossbanding to the top, with boxwood string inlays on the top and drawer fronts. A deep crotch mahogany is used on the drawer ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
C1780s William 1v Library Chair
Located in London, GB
A Beautiful Leather Library Chair This chair has been Restored and Reupholstered Dates C1780s Just Been Upholstered in lovely Brown Leather and Plaid Fabric
Leather
Antique Georgian Amboyna Sewing Box
By William Dobson
Located in Northampton, GB
Veneered in Amboyna Wood From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Amboyna Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular shape veneered in Amboyna with a circular mo...
Bone, Shell, Amboyna
Important Figured Solid Cuban Mahogany William IV Period Oval Dining Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Important nicely figured cuban mahogany (solid) William VI period oval dining table, the extending top set on an imposing central plinth base fitted with four scroll feet. England c....
Mahogany
Early 19th c. English Painted Waterfall Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good English open bookcase cabinet in original mustard paint, the waterfall scalloped sides with two hanging shelves, the lower cabinet having two paneled doors, the whole with origi...
Pine
19th Century inlaid adjustable fire screen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid adjustable fire screen circa 1830. Fully adjustable shield shape screen, inlaid border with a floral french silk insert. Original pole and brass threaded catch....
Silk, Mahogany
Twelve-Light William IV Crystal Chandelier Attributed to Perry & Co
By Perry & Co
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine quality William IV silver mounted chandelier the stem with graduated drop hung dishes cascading down to the main frame, issuing twelve plain arms supporting drop hung scalloped edge drip pans and candle nozzles, the frame incased underneath with segmented prisms creating a slat dish with a concentric ring of flower...
Cut Glass
William IV Maple Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular hinged top with subtle gilded gadrooned edge on a circular tapered support and tripartite base with giltwood scrolled feet.
Birdseye Maple
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
Mid-19th Century Mahogany Miniature Centre Table, William IV Style
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An exceptional quality mid-19th century mahogany miniature center table, having superbly figured circular tilting top, over elegant carved central column and triform plateau base, wi...
Mahogany
$7,800 / set
Pair William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of William IV Style Tufted Leather Armchairs. The chairs have a solid walnut frame and tufted leather upholstery. The chairs have a nice ...
Leather, Walnut
EXQUISiTE ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV CIR 1830 EXTENDING HARDWOOD CHESSBOARD GAMES TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique William IV Circa 1830 Rosewood Chessboard games table with Penwork Chessboard Please no...
Hardwood
$2,744Sale 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
William IV Rosewood Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
Height excluding gallery 36 inches. With rectangular breakfront form top over a pair of doors flanked by reeded columns flanked by a pair of doors and flanked again by columns. Plint...
Rosewood
William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV Rosewood Folding Swivel Top Pedestal Card Table with octagonal baluster column leading to splayed base supported on scroll feet with brass blind castors , circa 1835 - 36"...
Rosewood
19th Century Late William IV Rosewood and Gilded Library or Writing Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This very fine table made in England around 1830 to 1840 is produced in rare and costly rosewood. The top shows this wood to a degree as the choice veneers are book-matched making t...
Rosewood
Antique William IV Period Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original antique William IV period occasional table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. It is of amazing quality, with a very bold and ...
Wood
William IV Period Antique Sterling Silver Soup Tureen - London 1835 - Barnards
By Barnards
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1835 by Barnards, this superb, William IV, Antique Sterling Silver Soup Tureen, features an ornate cast handle to the lid and ornate cast feet, a gadroon bord...
Sterling Silver
$1,265 / set
Pair of Antique William IV Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
A lovely pair of antique William IV hall chairs. They were made in England, they date from the 1830-1840 period. The quality is outstanding, they are beautifully constructed from so...
Wood
$825Sale Price|20% Off
William 1V period Mahogany Lamp Table
Located in Dereham, GB
William 1V Period 1830-37 Mahogany Lamp Table Rectangular top with thumb mould edge Thin Mahogany Frieze Turned & Tulip Carved Column Quadruple Shaped Platform Base With Turned Bun S...
Mahogany
IMPORTANT ANTIQUE GRAND TOUR PIETRA DURA BIRDS SPECiMEN MARBLE CENTRE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important William IV Circa 1830 fully restored, Flamed Mahogany centre table with stunning Pietra Dura ...
Marble
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
A Diminutive Bracket Clock by Adams of Lombard Street
By Adams
Located in Amersham, GB
A rosewood and ormolu mounted bracket clock. With an eight day twin fusee movement, signed Adams of Lombard Street on the 5 inch silvered dial and movement back plate. Striking on a ...
Brass, Ormolu
Handsome 19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Unusual Wind-Out Mechanism
Located in London, GB
An impressive mid-19th century figured mahogany circular dining table with unusual wind-out extending mechanism bearing maker’s label: “T. H. Filmer’s cabinet, upholstery, bedding an...
Mahogany
$4,750 / set
Pair of Antique English Petite Side Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of English 19th century William IV side or boudoir chairs crafted in mahogany in petite form having carved floral handles on the tops over velvet upholstery with button...
Brass
William IV Whatnot Stand, Polished Walnut, Inlaid Decor, Circa 1800
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
English Monumental Polished Steel & Bone Carving Set, Hallmarks S.H, Circa 1835
By Samuel Harwood
Located in Charleston, SC
English monumental polished steel carving set with inlaid eagle bone handles depicting E. pluribus unum motto. Stamped with Hallmarks in Silver S.H. Samue...
Sterling Silver, Steel
$9,387Sale Price|30% Off
19th Specimen Marble Topped Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A Lovely C19th Marble Specimen Top Table standing on a Quatrafoil Base. Stunning Pietre dure Top The Top lobed edge with radiating Specimen Marbles.
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine original condition Library Chair with Leather Seat. The frame with handsome wood graining, pierced splat back, and overall sinuous form and having castored front legs. With g...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century walnut Framed Needlepoint Chair C.1830 Beautifully constructed with a carved walnut frame of a warm patination. Good solid construction with traditional ...
Wool, Walnut