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 & 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
A Highly Sophisticated William IV Mahogany Adjustable Reading Stand/Table
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Highly Sophisticated William IV Mahogany Adjustable Combination Reading Stand/Table and Music Stand, circa 1830 Of conventional tripod form with a turned baluster stem and the leg...
Brass
Early 19th Century William IV Period Carved Rosewood Marble Top Console Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Stunning Quality 19th Century William IV Period Carved Rosewood Marble Top Console Table This well-proportioned early 19th-century William IV console table is a stunning example of ...
Marble
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
Pair of Early 19th Century English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pair of early 19th C. English late Regency or William IV mahogany hall chairs with shaped backs and solid seats, each centered by a hand-painted family crest. The backs feature scr...
Mahogany
A Fine 19th Century William IV Red Agate Cut Glass and Brass Oil Lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A fine early nineteenth century William IV oil lamp, the red cut agate glass stem of flared form punctuated with a stylised brass lotus leaf and terminating in a ...
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
Antique William IV Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
An outstanding antique William IV writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. It is of the utmost quality, this stands on bold legs wi...
Leather, Wood
19th Century English Mahogany Dining Table, likely by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Richmond, VA
Impressive size and scale on this period 19th century English mahogany dining table, likely by made by Gillows in the 1st half of the 19th century. The table comes together similarly...
Mahogany
William IV Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded corners over a drawer flanked bu carved Vitruvian scrolls. Trestle base with stretcher and ending on melon form feet. Floor to underside 24.75.
Rosewood
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
$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
19th Century English William IV Mahogany Library Table With Leather Top
Located in London, GB
A Most Unusual William IV Library Table Constructed using flamed San Domingo mahogany, the leather-lined rectangular top with lambs tongue carved moulding, supported on a single ped...
Leather, Wood
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
Original Antique 19th Century Oil Painting Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Oil on canvas, portrait of an aristocratic lady. The woman is sitting in a red armchair with a quiet gaze wearing embroidered trim dress with white lace...
Giltwood, Canvas
$695Sale Price|33% Off
William IV Mahogany Needlepoint Stool
Located in Cheshire, GB
William IV mahogany stool, the needlepoint upholstered seat above molded frame raised up on four turned tapering legs. Dimensions: Height 17 inches. Width 16 inches. Dept...
Wood
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
$5,437Sale Price|25% Off
English William IV Period Mahogany and Marble Center / Game Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
William IV period mahogany game / center table with inset Pietra Dura (stone specimen) marble chess board top. Having two drawers on either side, and a boldly carved base ending with...
Marble, Stone
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
Antique English Sailing Ship Half Hull Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English half hull model handcrafted in mahogany of a three mast sailing ship on a mahogany plaque.
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
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
$1,724Sale 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
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
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
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
Pair of English Mahogany Pedestal Hinged Game Tables on Brass Casters, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English mahogany foliage pedestal hinged game tables with flanking scrolled corners, gadrooned skirts, baize card playing surfaces, open interiors for storage, and resting bun feet with the original brass casters, Early 19th century. Pair of Game Tables...
Brass
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
William IV Burl Elm Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Fine quality ladies writing table most likely by Gillow of Lancaster and London. With a rectangular top with rounded ends and central leather writing surface. Raised brass gallery at...
Brass, Ormolu
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
Early 19th Century William IV Period Tall Oak Open Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Superb Tall William IV Period Figured Oak Open Library Bookcase, C1830 An exceptional early 19th-century William IV period tall open library bookcase in solid figured oak, of impres...
Oak
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 English Mahogany Sideboard Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English sideboard handcrafted in mahogany featuring a gallery around the top with plate grooves and carved twisted rope edges on a case with three drawers and t...
Mahogany
$1,228
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
$1,239Sale Price|20% Off
WILLIAM 1V Period Mahogany 4 drawer chest
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine W1V Period Mahogany 4 drawer chest Quality Figured Mahogany veneer on top & Drawer fronts, Original locks, turned mahogany drawer knobs, Pair Pilasters...
Mahogany
A Large William IV Mahogany Library Chair in Tan Suede
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A William IV mahogany library chair of large scale, with scrolling arms and uprights, the front legs carved with tulip motives and terminating in brass castors. ...
Mahogany
An exquisite and rare early 19th century Spode cabinet cup and saucer circa 1830
By Spode
Located in Central England, GB
An exquisite and rare early 19th century Spode cabinet cup and saucer. This beautiful and richly decorated Spode cabinet cup and saucer were made at this high quality English porcela...
Porcelain
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
English William IV Statuary Marble Fireplace Surround
Located in Twickenham, GB
A William IV Statuary Marble Fireplace Surround, English c.1835, the moulded shelf sits above a tiered frieze flanked each side with a trio of bull’s eye roundels, the double pilaste...
Statuary Marble
$4,900 / set
Fine Set of Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of 19th century gunmetal steel fire tools comprising a shovel, pair of tongs and poker, all with turned handles, the shovel with pierced geometric pattern, all with pleasing...
Steel
English Tole Foliage Fruit Basket Five Light Chandelier w/ Orig. Shades, C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English tole yellow and black paint decorated five light chandelier with central urn foliage fruit basket, acorn finial, and five scrolled arms with the original slot mounted shades....
Tin
19th Century William IV Period Rosewood Fold-Over Card Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Fine Early 19th-Century Rosewood Fold-Over Card Table A very fine and elegant early 19th-century William IV period rosewood fold-over card table. The table features a beautifully fi...
Rosewood
$2,122 / 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
Fine William IV Period Rosewood Library Table by George Simson and Son
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Fine William IV Period Rosewood Library Table by George Simson and Son of St Paul’s Churchyard, London, c.1837. The finely shaped rectangular top with rounded corners, supported on ...
Rosewood
$1,239 / 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
Set Of Four William IV Anglo-Indian Dining Chairs
Located in Kent, Dover
A set of four finely carved William IV Ango-Indian dining chairs in mahogany, with newly upholstered linen seats.
Mahogany
William IV Rosewood Circular Breakfast Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality William IV rosewood circular breakfast table, remaining in very good condition for its age. Width: 130cm Depth: 130cm Height: 79cm
Rosewood
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
Pair of Kings Pattern Sauce Ladles, by William Eaton, London, 1834
Located in Cornwall, GB
This highly collectable pair of Kings pattern silver sauce ladles are in the sought-after double-struck standard form with the diamond heel, with ...
Sterling Silver
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
English Brass and Wood Barrel Nautical Spyglass James Chapman, London Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass and wood barrel nautical ship captain's spyglass with a single draw, polished sunshade, lense cap, and engraved focal tube by maker James Chapman St. Catherines Dock, L...
Brass
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
English Oil on Canvas Horse Portrait in Burl Walnut Gilt Frame, Signed. C. 1866
Located in Charleston, SC
English oil on canvas horse portrait in burl walnut giltwood and beaded molded edge frame. Signed & Dated by Artist "J. Brown Coventry 1866"
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
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
William IV Roll Top Desk Mahogany 19th Century Cylinder Period
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive William IV Mahogany Cylinder Desk. This Cylinder Desk is Raised Upon Turned and Carved William IV Legs. Period 19th Century Having an Arrangement of 5 Mahogany Lined Drawe...
Mahogany
An Elaborately Cut William IV Bowl
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An elaborately cut, William IV two piece bowl with a pillar fan edge.
Cut Glass