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.
Antique William IV Mahogany Dining Table Circa 1830 & 18 Swag Back Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic dining set comprising of an antique William IV dining table, Circa 1830 in date, with a set of eighteen swag back dining chairs. This beautiful table is in stu...
Mahogany
Antique 14ft6" William IV Dining Table 19th Century & 16 Balloon back chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic dining set comprising of an antique William IV dining table, Circa 1835 in date, with a set of sixteen Vintage balloon back dining chairs This beautiful table...
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
William-IV-Desk-Mahogany-Library-Table-19th-Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV Library Table or desk Circa 19th Century This Library Table is raised Upon Turned Columns with Carved Feet and Original Castors. The Table Features 2 Mahogany Lined Drawer...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with conforming apron. Shaped octagonal tapered support ending on a tripartite base with scroll feet.
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with conforming apron. Shaped triangular support with tripartite base with scroll feet. Has a tilting mechanism.
Brass
19th Century William IV Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Richmond, Surrey
19th Century William IV Mahogany Writing Table with an antique Red leather, two drawers, keys and small turned bun handles. On turned legs and original castors to base. Circa: 1830-...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Height from floor to underside 24 inches. Rectangular top with new tooled neutral gray green leather and banded edge over three drawers with wood knobs, circular tapered legs.
Leather, Mahogany
XL William IV Dining Table 14 Seater Extending Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV mahogany 3 leaf extending dining table Period 19th Century antique This dining table is raised upon ring turned and fluted legs which retain their original brass and porce...
Mahogany
William IV 19th century flip top side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
William iv 19th century palisander work table, circa 1830. Made from stunning palisander with a rectangular top that rotates and flips open to form a bigger surface. Single silk lin...
Palisander
English William IV Circular Mahogany Veneer Center / Dining Table
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
$5,428Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 48.23 in D 48.23 in
Stunning Antique William IV 1830 Hardwood & Green Leather Library Dining Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original William IV Rosewood and gold leaf embossed green leather Library or dining table with ornately carved pedestal base and tilt top A very good looking well made and decorative piece, hand carved in rosewood, the base is very typical of the William IV era, with the original engraved brass castors and finished with a full hide green leather top that has gold leaf embossing. The table as mentioned is a tilt top, the idea being it could be used as a centre table during the day and a draft excluder...
Leather, Hardwood
$7,371
H 28.75 in W 53.15 in D 29.53 in
Early 19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Library Writing Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Very Fine Early 19th-Century William IV Period Mahogany Partners Library Writing Table This exquisite writing table is constructed from solid mahogany and features a rectangular t...
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English William IV Mahogany Table
Located in Richmond, VA
Great 19th century English mahogany table on a pedestal base with three carved feet. At 54" this table is great for a breakfast...
Rosewood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 102.37 in D 51.19 in
Antique William IV Mahogany Dining Table & 8 Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic dining set comprising of an antique William IV dining table, with a superb set of eight dining chairs, all Circa 1830 in date. This magnificent antique Willi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.93 in W 102.37 in D 51.19 in
Antique William IV Mahogany Dining Table & 10 Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic dining set comprising an antique William IV dining table, Circa 1830 in date with a superb set of ten bar back dining chairs. This magnificent antique William...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.34 in W 100.01 in D 45.08 in
Antique Wiliam IV Extending Dining Table & 8 Gillow chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany dining table and a beautiful set of eight William IV Dining Chairs, Circa 1830 in date.. This amazing...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.34 in W 100.01 in D 45.08 in
Antique William IV Extending Dining Table 19th Century & 10 Balloon Back chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany dining table, Circa 1830 in date, and a beautiful set of ten vintage Balloon Back Dining Chairs. This ...
Mahogany
Antique 15ft Extending Dining Table & 14 chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising a large antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1830 in date, and a set of fourteen Vintage wheatsheaf shieldback dining ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30.32 in W 175.4 in D 47.64 in
Antique 14ft6" William IV Mahogany Dining Table 19th Century & 14 dining chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent antique William IV mahogany dining table Circa 1835 in date which can seat sixteen diners in comfort with a set of fourteen Vintage wheatsheaf shieldback chairs...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.93 in W 152.76 in D 53.94 in
Antique 19th C 13 ft Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table & 14 chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1835 in date and set of fourteen Wheatsheaf shieldback dining chairs. This amazing table can seat fou...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.14 in W 77.56 in D 48.04 in
Antique Wiliam IV Mahogany Extending Dining Table & 6 chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany dining table, Circa 1830 in date, and a beautiful set of six William IV Mahogany Dining Chairs c1830. ...
Mahogany
Antique William IV Mahogany Extending Dining Table & 8 chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful dining set comprising an antique William IV flame mahogany dining table, Circa 1830 in date, and a beautiful set of eight vintage Regency Revival Bar Back Dining...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.73 in W 154.34 in D 57.49 in
Antique Extending Dining Table 19th C & 12 Regency Revival Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous large antique William IV oval ended flame mahogany extending dining table, circa 1830 in date with a vintage set of twelve Regency Revival dining chairs. The t...
Mahogany
Antique 13ft William IV Dining Table & 12 Dining Chairs 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous large antique William IV oval ended flame mahogany extending dining table with a stunning set of twelve William IV dining chairs, all circa 1830 in date. The ta...
Mahogany
Sold
H 27.96 in W 50.79 in D 50.79 in
Antique William IV Centre Table by Gillows & 6 Chairs 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant and rare English antique William IV Gonçalo Alves centre / breakfast table by Gillows of Lancaster, Circa 1830 in date and six Regency revival swag back dining cha...
Wood