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.
$2,092Sale Price|20% Off
Small Antique Wine Table, English, Lamp, Side, Serving, William IV, Circa 1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique wine table. An English, mahogany circular lamp or side table, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Accentuate your lounge with this charming wine ta...
Wood
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
$680Sale 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
William IV Style Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or desk of mahogany from the late 19th century, in the William IV style, featuring an inset embossed green leather top over a frieze of two drawers - eac...
Metal, Brass
$6,265Sale Price|30% Off
English Mahogany William IV Carved Mahogany Library Console Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Handsome hand carved Mahogany library table on casters, ,1830-1840. Fine detail carving with sturdy scrolling legs united by stretcher. Dovetailed drawers. Recently French polished. ...
Mahogany
$1,032Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair WIV Mahogany & Carved Hall Chairs
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair WIV Period Mahogany & Carved Hall Chairs circa 1830s Shaped Panel backs, with Scroll, leaf & Tulip carving, Panel seat, cushion moulding under seat, splay back legs, Octagonal ...
Mahogany
William IV Style Burl Wood and Diamond Brocade Upholstered Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A William IV Style Burl Wood Finish and Diamond Brocade Upholstered Armchair. Measures: 24.5" in width, 24.5" in depth and 35" in height. Seat height is 18". Arm height is 26". Seat ...
Upholstery, Burl
$2,664Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Teapoy English William iv Rosewood Work Box, 19th Century, circa 1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique teapoy, an English, William IV, rosewood work box dating to the early 19th century, circa 1835. Superb color in the polished rosew...
Rosewood
William IV Style Mahogany and Tooled Leather Inset Top Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A William IV Style Mahogany and Tooled Leather Inset Top Side Table. Measures: 26.5" in width and 19.5" in depth and 24" in height.
Leather, Mahogany
Fine Pair of Antique William IV Quality Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine pair of antique William IV quality mahogany console tables having quality mahogany rectangular shape tops with reeded edges above a carved and reeded frieze supported by two mah...
Other
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
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
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 English William IV Captain's Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Walnut Captain's Chair with a noteworthy Bol form frame in an overall honey walnut finish with a tub back and elaborate scrolled arms raised on oversize ring...
Walnut
$5,950 / set
Set of Four Animal Stone Lithographs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of four 19th century hand colored stone lithographs depicting animal species by the prolific Swiss artist and print maker Karl Joseph Brodtmann. Presented under glass ...
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
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
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White 10.5 Dinner Plate Whampoa Pattern
Ceramic
William IV Maple Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Essex, MA
With a 3/4 wood gallery over three shelves all flanked by spindles. All with mirror backs.
Mirror, Maple
English Scalloped Tole Tray on Stand With Peacock and Floral Motif, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English scalloped Tole tray with decorative Peacock and foliage motif resting on a painted faux bamboo stand with cross stretchers. Early 19th Century.
Tin
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Soup Tureen London 1834 Serving Dish
By William Brown
Located in London, GB
An impressive Antique William IV Sterling Silver Soup Tureen with an oval form and four generously proportioned scroll and foliate feet. The Body of the Soup Serving Tureen is embell...
Sterling Silver
Unusual Antique William IV Quality Mahogany Child’s Armchair and Stand
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique William IV quality mahogany child’s armchair and stand having a quality arched shaped top rail and splat to the centre of the back, shaped scrolled open arms, newly r...
Other
$1,738Sale 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
William IV Mahogany Hall Chair
Located in Essex, MA
An interesting chair with carved back and central coat of arms over an oval paterae. Slightly bowed seat with reeded seat rail raised on turned legs.
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Giltwood Cushion Mirror, Neoclassical Design
Located in Lincoln, GB
Fine William IV Giltwood Cushion Mirror This striking wall mirror features a deep, cushion-profile frame of impressive architectural presence. The primary molding is richly decorated...
Giltwood
William IV Dining Chairs Set 10 Mahogany Revival
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Set of 10 william iv style mahogany dining chairs. These chairs are raised upon ring turned and fluted front legs and sabre back legs. Circa 1920 The front rail having typical willia...
Mahogany
Mid 19th century writing table with folio stand
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century writing table with folio stand circa 1860. We are pleased to offer this unusual English occasional writing table. Beautifully veneered in flame mahogany, rectangul...
Mahogany
$1,955Sale Price / item|20% Off
W1V Mahogany & carved leather Library Chair
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
W1V Mahogany & carved leather Library Chair William 1V period 1830-1837 Mahogany frame, with open scroll arms carved detail on front. Deep Butto...
Leather, Mahogany
Blue & White Tureen & Platter “India Temple” Pattern
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Tureen & Platter “India Temple” Pattern
Ceramic
$1,955Sale Price|20% Off
WIV Period 7 Drawer Fitted Tall Pedestal Cupboard
By Richard Bridgens
Located in Dereham, GB
WIV period 7 drawer fitted tall pedestal cupboard, Mahogany top 4 Inset panel sides. The front with: Single door with inset panel, working lock & key, Opens to Reveal: Fitted 7 mahogany Graduated Drawers, with brass inset ring...
Mahogany
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
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
19th Century Mahogany Circular Dumbwaiter
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century mahogany three tier metamorphic circular dumbwaiter with a triangular platform base terminating on bun feet, circa 1830.
Mahogany
$592Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Sampler Stool, English, Walnut, Boxwood, Embroidered, Decor, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sampler stool. An English, walnut and boxwood embroidered decorative rest, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Pleasingly embroidered low stool, ideal ...
Textile, Boxwood, Walnut
A wonderful 19th century William IV mahogany and parcel gilt open bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century English William 1V mahogany and parcel gilt open bookcase. Beautiful carved pawed feet
Mahogany
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 Period English Sewing Stand Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce nearly 200 year old English William IV Period rosewood and mahogany sewing stand work table with beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1830s Combining sophisticated e...
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
$17,500
Georgian Swivel Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A rare and unusual Georgian desk chair with a half round back on a swivelling base. Substantial mahogany construction with a show-wood burl arms a...
Leather, Mahogany
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
William IV Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English gilt bronze 12-light chandelier, in the manner of Thomas Messenger of Birmingham, having chased foliate crown, over four chains supporting scrolled foliate arms, th...
Bronze
Antique Satinwood Marquetry Centre Table
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine William IV satinwood centre table with attractive marquetry inlay to the top and base.
Satinwood
Blue & White Dish Staffordshire Whampoa Pattern Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White Dish Staffordshire Whampoa Pattern Transferware
Ceramic
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
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Ceramic
Pair of Hand Carved Mahogany Armorial Hall Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved mahogany hall chairs with armorial backs, hand-turned legs and solid mahogany seats. The chairs with original finish which have been French polished to show a warm...
Mahogany
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
Pair of Antique English Blue and White Chinoiserie Transfer Earthenware Dishes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine pair of 19th century English orientalist blue and white transfer pottery dishes by John Rogers and Sons, Staffordshire, depicting chinoiserie landscapes in floral borders. Stamp...
Earthenware
$2,139 / set
Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An outstanding pair of antique William IV period armchairs. They were made in England, they date from around the 1830-40’s. They are of superb quality and are a lovely, compact size...
Fabric, Wood
English Burl Walnut Leather Top Davenport with Acanthus Cabriole Legs Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English burl walnut Davenport desk with carved floral fret work, hinged lid revealing fitted interior with original ink wells, leather hinged writing surface with four fitted interio...
Brass
English William IV Mahogany Bookcase, Fluted Sides, Circa 1840, UK
Located in Queens, NY
English William IV (circa 1840) mahogany 3 section bookcase with fluted and carved sides and section dividers and resting on ball feet.
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
Period William IV Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period William IV bull's eye mirror, having a convex mirror with black reeded inner frame surrounded by molded giltwood decorated by four applied cartouches.
Glass, Wood
Antique Sphinx 1833 Felix Austin England Gargen Sculpture
Located in Munich, DE
This very impressive sphinx is fully signed and dated on the plinth 'Felix Austin 1833, England'. This monumental sculpture is made of artificial limestone, an invention of F. Austin. The sculpture is made for outdoors and is weather resistant. The plinth is contemporary and custom made out painted wood. Literature: John P.S. Davis, Antique Garden Ornament...
Limestone
William IV Dining Table Extending 14 Seater 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful 14 Seat William IV Mahogany Extending Dining Table. Here we Have an Impressive William IV 6 Legged Extending Dining Table Circa 19th Century The T...
Wood, 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
WIV Style Gillows Designed Leather Upholstered Stool
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous and very functional WIV styled Gillows designed leather stool features deep buttoned cocoa brown upholstery supported on 6 turned reeded le...
Leather, Mahogany
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
Antique British Colonial Five Tiered Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century English etagere handcrafted in mahogany with classic turned finials at the top over five tiers with scalloped skirts, two of them with drawers, held by turned...
Brass
Early 19th Century Irish Rosewood and Satinwood Game Table with Hairy Paw Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming early 19th-century Irish game table, crafted circa 1840 in richly figured rosewood with elegant satinwood accents. The compact scale and refined proportions make it a vers...
Rosewood, Satinwood
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