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 English Library Steps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English library stairs crafted in mahogany with three tooled red leather steps, two flip top storage compartments, a pull out drawer and turned legs.
Leather, Mahogany
William IV Occasional Table, Yew & Amboyna Wood Top, Circa 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Rare 19th Century, William IV Period Occasional Table, Having Charming Octagonal Galleried Top, With Various Specimen Wood Veneers Inlaid To Unusual Pattern Design, Raised On Solid...
Yew, Amboyna
William IV Burr Elm And Ebony Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular tilt top with elaborate burl and ebony circular sawtooth inlay. Turned octagonal support and tripartite base with carved scroll feet.
Ebony, Elm
Antique William IV 1830 Hardwood Side Table + Grand Tour Cameo Display Case Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime William IV Hardwood occasional side table with display case top featuring Grand Tour Cameo’s A ver...
Hardwood, Glass
Fine Antique William IV 1830 Pietra Dura Specimen Marble Chess Board Table
By PIETRA DURA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite antique Pietra Dura Italian Specimen Marble chess board table, William IV circa 1830 ...
Marble
William IV Rosewood Free-Standing End Support Table Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV rosewood free-standing end support table attributed to Gillows, the rectangular top with the original leather and an ormolu gallery on three sides, all above a single di...
Brass, Ormolu
Pair of Stunning Original 1830 William IV Hardwood Mirrored Top Side Lamp Tables
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original William IV circa 1830 hardwood mirrored top side tables A very fine and rare pair of tables, the timber patina is...
Hardwood
Important Antique Restored William IV 1830 Occasional Side End Wine Lamp Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisitely carved Antique circa 1830 William IV Mahogany side occasional table. A very good looking well-made and decorative piece in origin...
Hardwood
Antique Restored William IV 1830 Walnut Occasional Side End Wine Lamp Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisitely crafted, Fully Restored, Antique circa 1830 William IV Walnut side occasional table Please...
Walnut
A Pair Of Burr Elm End Or Side Tables By Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in London, GB
A square almost cubed set of end or side tables in well configured Burr Elm. Possibly by J C Mahey or another similar designer for Roche Bobois. Tables are in good condition and ver...
Elm
English Brass and Leather Library Steps
Located in Miami, FL
This spiral library step ladder is an ideal conversation piece to enhance any space. With a semi-circular design and four stairs surrounding a central post, it exudes elegance. It co...
Brass
French Spiral Library Stairs / Stepladder, 4 Steps
Located in Montreal, Quebec
This elegant staircase/stepladder features four steps attached to a post that serves as a secure handhold. The four-tier spiral structure is both functional and decorative. This piec...
Wood
$2,245
H 34.45 in W 16.54 in D 16.74 in
Antique 1880 Arts & Crafts Metamorphic Library Steps Original Carpet Upholstery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period upho...
Oak
$1,156
H 20.48 in W 25.2 in D 16.15 in
Lovely Vintage Flamed Hardwood Extending Drop Leaf Side End Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage flamed hardwood drop leaf table. A charming and solid piece, the top is slightly discolored on one side of the tabletop, how...
Hardwood
A Regency style Mahogany library chair /steps. England
Located in Den Haag, NL
A beautiful Regency style solid Mahogany Library chair/steps . Just folding the Chair open and there are the steps . Green Leather on the steps .The seat is made of Wicker . Good stu...
Mahogany
$5,500
H 27.375 in W 18.75 in D 18.75 in
Mid Century Italian Bronze Marble Chess Board Pietra Dura Tripod Side Table 1950
Located in Troy, MI
Exquisite Italian Pietre Dure chess board side table circa 1950s Mosaic chessboard surface of Nero Portoro and pink marble On a bronze base with three splayed legs Suitable for g...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Marble Chess Board, Mid-Century Modern Game Table, 1980s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Classic chess board in black and white marble with chess pieces to match in white and black marble as well.
Marble
$1,292
H 48 in W 18 in D 18 in
Spiral Library Steps with Tall Turned Support A good set of Library Steps
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Spiral Library Steps with Tall Turned Support A good set of Library Steps, the 4 steps are in a spiral formation and are in good condition, very sturdy and useful An attractive and...
Mahogany
$2,109
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Antique English Victorian Library Stairs / Steps Carved Wood Foldable 1920s
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely Antique English Victorian Library stairs made from carved walnut with dark finish during the 1920s in England. This library step has ...
Wood
William IV Mahogany Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV mahogany games table, circa 1830. With a D shaped folding mahogany top, a frieze with scroll and leaf form designed ends, a ring turned and bulbous shaped pedestal, restin...
Mahogany
Set of 2 Sine Solid Hardwood Side Tables by Izm Design
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
Sine by Izm Design is a 2020 Best of Year recipient from Interior Design Magazine. It features a burnished, cast bronze top perched on a sculp...
Hardwood
Antique William IV period mahogany occasional table with a speciman marble top
Located in London, GB
William IV period circular mahogany Occasional Table having moulded edged top with inset inlaid Italian marble, raised on baluster stem with lotus leaf carving, ending on triform pla...
Marble
Circular 19th Century Pollard Oak Occasional Lamp Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality And Particularly Attractive Mid 19th Century William IV Period Pollard, Or Burr, Oak Occasional Lamp Table Having Exceptionally Well Figured Circular Top, With Ra...
Oak
A William IV Birdseye Maple Tiered Bedside Table
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 A fine early nineteenth century birds eye maple bedside table of excellent colour, with stylised finials and single drawer to frieze, all supported on brass cast...
Wood, Birdseye Maple
Sold
H 28.75 in Dm 14.18 in
INLAID ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV HARDWOOD BROWN LEATHER OCCASIONAL SiDE END WINE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely William IV Rosewood occasional table with beautifully inlaid top and brown leather insert Plea...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 28.75 in Dm 23.43 in
Antique Restored William iv Mahogany Tilt Top Occasional Wine Lamp End Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisitely carved Antique William IV tilt top Mahogany side occasional table. A very good looking well-made and decorative piece in origin...
Mahogany
English Library Steps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th Century English library stairs crafted in mahogany with three tooled red leather steps, two flip top storage compartments, a pull out drawer and t...
Leather, Mahogany
Ralph Lauren American Hardwood Occasional Table William IV Style
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely Ralph Lauren American Mahogany William IV style large side or occasional table A very good looking, well made and decorative piece, ideally s...
Hardwood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 21.26 in D 17.72 in
Sublime Antique William IV circa 1830 Flamed Hardwood Single Drawer Side Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique William IV circa 1830 flamed mahogany single drawer side table with fluted pedestal base In the world of fine furniture this...
Hardwood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Bedside Table or End Table in Mahogany, Early 19th Century, William IV
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine and original end table or bedside in mahogany from the beginning of the 19th century, England Very beautiful small piece which has its original locks, entrances, original han...
Mahogany
Sold
H 23.23 in W 15.36 in D 12.41 in
Sublime William IV Hardwood Spiral Base Tripod Side Table Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this sublime Hardwood coil base side table with Lion hairy paw feet Please note the delivery fee listed i...
Hardwood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century William IV Amboyna Occasional Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
The table top of rectangular form on a tapering columnar pedestal, a shaped platform base with a carved gadroon motif, and outswept legs with brass claw feet on casters.
Brass
William IV Mahogany Occasional Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV mahogany occasional cabinet, circa 1830. The top two drawers are actually a door which opens and closes. The bottom two drawers are closed and does not open or close, this...
Brass