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 Rosewood Tea Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV Rosewood Tea Table with fold over top above frieze decorated with foliate scroll carvings, facetted bulbous baluster column, pedestal base and scroll legs on porcelain cas...
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
$4,362Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Fold Over Parlour Card Table, English, Games, Side, William IV, C.1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique fold-over parlour card table. An English, mahogany games or side table, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Appealing William IV craftsmanship to this fi...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Games Table by T & G Seddon
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine quality William IV rosewood card table stamped T & G Seddon with moulded edge and swivel top, silhouette end supports and raised on turned legs with castors. The legs pull in ...
Wood
Fantastic quality Antique William IV rosewood card table
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality Antique William IV rosewood card table with a fine quality figured rosewood top that lifts up and smiles to reveal a green baize interior, super carved frieze suppo...
Rosewood
William IV Rosewood Card Folding Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV Rosewood Card Table with Fold Over Baized Top on Baluster Column leading to Pedestal Base supported on Lion Paw Feet - 36"w x 19"d x 30"h closed (36 x 36 x 29"h open)
Baize, Rosewood
William IV Burr Yew Wood Card Table with Carved Lion Paw Base, c.1830 (Scottish)
By James Morison
Located in Leeds, GB
William IV Burr Yew Card Table on Carved Lion Paw Base, c.1830 A fine William IV card table of exceptional quality, crafted in beautifully figured burr yew with deep, lively grain a...
Yew
A Pair of 19th Century Anglo-Indian William IV Card Tables
Located in London, GB
Anglo Indian, circa 1840. A pair of William IV goncalo alves card tables, the tops opening to reveal a grey baize playing surface, the bases carved with gadrooning and oak leaves, s...
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
19th Century English Sutherland Drop-Leaf Table in Walnut and Kingwood Veneer
Located in Dallas, TX
A small scale 19th century English Sutherland table with lovely walnut and kingwood veneer, two drop leaves, supported by turned shaped column ends, turned swing out leg, original ca...
Kingwood, Walnut
A Rare Pair of Early 19th Century William IV Card Tables
Located in Dublin, IE
A rare pair of early 19th Century William IV fruitwood card tables of fabulous quality, finely hand carved with rich patination and grain. The well figured, moulded D shaped hinged...
Brass
A Very Rare Pair of 19th Century William IV Card Tables
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare pair of 19th century William IV mahogany card tables attributed to Dublin maker Williams & Gibton. This fabulous pair of tur...
Brass
William IV Card Table Mahogany Fold Over Games Circa 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Fine antique mahogany card table dating to the William IV period Figured mahogany fold over top opening to reveal a green baize playing surface Raised on a substantial central pedest...
Mahogany
Very Fine circa 1835 William IV Antique Pollard Oak Folding Card Pedestal Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine original circa 1835 William IV Pollard oak carved fold over card table with JC Patent stamped porcelain castors A William IV poll...
Oak
Antique Restored William IV circa 1830 Coromandel Occasional Games Cards Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite, fully restored, hand made in England William IV circa 1830 Coromandel & Giltwood occasiona...
Brass
Early 19th Century William IV Mahogany Pedestal Card Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century William IV mahogany pedestal card table, it has four down-swept legs which terminate on original brass casters. The top is cross-banded and swivels to reveal an in...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century William IV Mahogany Pedestal Card Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century William IV mahogany pedestal card table, it has four down-swept legs which terminate on original brass casters. The top is cross-banded and swivels to reveal an in...
Mahogany
Antique William IV Quality Rosewood Work / Lamp Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine William IV rosewood work table of elegant proportions beautifully crafted and richly figured throughout. The rectangular top features drop-leaf sides that extend the surface a...
Rosewood
$2,444
H 28 in W 52 in D 20 in
William Birch for Liberty & Co. an Arts & Crafts Oak Fold Over Card Table
By Liberty & Co., William Birch
Located in London, GB
William Birch for Liberty and Co. A good quality sturdy Arts & Crafts oak fold over card table with precise mitred corners to the top on splayed ring turned legs united by an H-stre...
Oak
Edwardian Inlaid Rosewood Envelope Card Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Edwardian Inlaid Rosewood Games Table Item Code: S27-810A A very attractive Edwardian inlaid rosewood games table of elegant proportions, standing on slender square tapering legs wit...
Rosewood
$1,962
H 29.53 in W 27.76 in D 27.37 in
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Demi Lune Shaped Card Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany Demi lune shaped card table having a quality mahogany Demi lune shaped top opening to reveal the original green baize interior, mahogany frieze sta...
Other
$1,365Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 36.03 in D 17.92 in
Early 19th Century English Flame Mahogany Fold-Over Tea Table
Located in Worcester, GB
Early 19th Century English Flame Mahogany Fold-Over Tea Table Origin: England Date: Circa 1820 Materials: Flame mahogany, brass Dimensions: Height: 74 cm (29 1/8 in) Width (closed)...
Mahogany
19th Century English Rosewood Game Table
Located in High Point, NC
A fine 19th century rosewood game table from England. The curved front has a hand beaded edge and wonderfully grained as well. The table top is constructed ingeniously to fold open a...
Rosewood
Vintage Envelope Card Table Tri-Fold
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning unique tri-fold envelope or handkerchief card or game table. Beautiful scale and perfect size to tuck away. Slender legs with detailed stretcher. 3 triangular leaves secured...
Wood
$2,709
H 28.94 in W 36.03 in D 18.12 in
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
Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Card/Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality 19th century Victorian antique mahogany card/side table having a lovely mahogany top that lifts up and swivels to reveal a green baize interior, carved frieze supported by a ...
Other
Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Card Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Regency quality mahogany card table having a quality figured mahogany crossbanded swivel top opening to reveal a green baize mahogany frieze with a moulded edge supported by ...
Other
19th Century Rosewood Game, Card Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a rosewood game, card table made in England, circa 1850. The top has rounded corners and a nicely molded edge. The top spins open to reveal storage for game pieces, cards, et...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 35.83 in D 17.72 in
Fine quality Regency folding rosewood card tea console table C1825 19th Century
Located in Wisbech, England
Very Fine quality Regency / William IV rosewood folding card tea console table C1825 . This is a lovely table of exceptional quality. Historically restored to a good standard. The ...
Rosewood
Pair of William IV Card Tables
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A pair of William IV card tables. Solid and veneered rosewood with classical carved decoration.
Walnut
19th Century William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A very high quality William IV Rosewood Card Table with beautifully figured rosewood throughout. The top swivels 90′ degrees to open into a Card Table with a baize lined interior. Th...
Rosewood
Period William IV Card Table Games 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV rosewood card table. This rather impressive card table stands upon a cross section base with boldly carved feet and a carved and turned socle. The column also being of a t...
Rosewood
19th Century William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A very high quality 19th Century William IV – D Shaped Rosewood Card Table with beautifully figured rosewood throughout. The cylindrical turned rosewood column supported by circular ...
Rosewood
19th Century William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A very high quality 19th Century William IV Rosewood Card Table with baize interior. With turned and carved column support, four well carved scroll and shaped cabriole legs with orig...
Rosewood
Early 19th Century Rosewood Game, Card Table
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
An early-19th century William IV Rosewood Fold over card table c. 1830, Octagonal column supports a shaped and carved freeze on a round platform base supported by four beautifully c...
Rosewood
19th Century English William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality William IV rosewood fold over tea table, having a circular stem above a platform base raised on four feet, remaining very good condition for its age. M...
Rosewood
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Fold Over Tea Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV quality figured mahogany fold over tea table having a quality figured mahogany fold over top opening to reveal a polished figure...
Other
Antique English William IV Round Center or Loo Table in Burl Ash on Pedestal
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine William IV center table or loo table in beautiful burl ash wood with round top and apron on cylindrical column over a tripartite (triform) base with concave sides resting on c...
Ash, Burl
William IV Rosewood Card Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine William IV rosewood card table with a fantastic figured rosewood top that lifts up and swivels to reveal a green baize interior, s...
Other
Antique William IV Rosewood Card/Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
This is a quality William IV antique rosewood card/side table with a lovely figured rosewood crossbanded top that lifts up and swivels to reveal the original green baize interior, ro...
Other