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 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
Mid 19th Century William IV Mahogany Chess Lamp Table, England, 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality Mid 19th Century, William IV Period, Mahogany Lamp Table, Or Occasional Table, Having Superbly Figured Circular Top With Attractive Chess Board Inlaid Decoration,...
Mahogany
$1,258
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
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
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
$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
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 RESTORED WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 HARDWOOD & WALNUT WOOD CHESSBOARD TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, fully restored Antique William IV Circa 1830 Mahogany & Walnut Chessboard Chess table Ple...
Hardwood, Walnut
EXQUISiTE ANTIQUE WILLIAM IV CIR 1830 EXTENDING HARDWOOD CHESSBOARD GAMES TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique William IV Circa 1830 Rosewood Chessboard games table with Penwork Chessboard Please no...
Hardwood
Regency Maplewood Lyre-End Games Table, circa 1825
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A Regency maplewood lyre-end games table. The top reverses to show either a plain surface or a chessboard and removes to reveal a backgammon board. Gallery 3/4" high. dotsend enqui...
Maple
Antique William IV Inlaid Walnut Chess Table
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique William IV inlaid walnut chess table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880’s period. It is beautifully made, the top has an inlaid chessb...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
William IV Card Table Mahogany D End Console
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV early Nineteenth Century D end card table The tables opens to reveal a baize playing surface in good condition. The table has a wonderful patina which is testament to its ...
Mahogany
William IV Card Table Mahogany D End Console
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV early Nineteenth Century D end card table The tables opens to reveal a baize playing surface in good condition. The table has a wonderful patina which is testament to its ...
Mahogany
Rare William IV circa 1830 Hardwood Occasional Table Chess Board Games Cards Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite hand made in England William IV circa 1830 mahogany & Rosewood occasional table with Chess board top and baize lined card table insi...
Hardwood, Walnut
19th Century English William IV Period Mahogany Games Table Sewing Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A period William IV English mahogany sewing stand work table with inlaid chessboard top. circa 1830s Combining sophisticated elegance, warmth, and functional design, this outstandin...
Iron
William IV Folding Games or Card Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
William IV folding games or card table. This is a good quality piece with beautiful patina, it takes up little space and unfolds to a 3ft square games table. The base has a 4 point base with scroll feet and the top swivels to open out. The table has a new green baize playing area...
Rosewood
An Interesting Pair of William IV Card Tables, Attributed to Gillows c.1835
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Interesting Pair of William IV Card Tables, Attributed to Gillows c.1835 The tables with d-shaped rounded rectangular tops with beaded mouldings running around both parts of the ...
Rosewood
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
19th Century Mahogany Card Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany card table, the moulded edge shaped top opening to reveal a green baize playing surface, the shaped frieze below with carved leaf decoration at each side,...
Mahogany
$3,557Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
19th Century Biedermeier Marquetry Chess Table
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant octagonal game table dates back to around 1830 and impresses with its intricate marquetry work and timeless craftsmanship. The tabletop features a detailed chessboard ma...
Walnut, Pine, Ash, Birch
$2,457
H 28 in W 52 in D 20 in
William Birch for Liberty & Co. an Arts & Crafts Oak Fold Over Card Table
By William Birch, Liberty & Co.
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
George III Mahogany Games Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular hinged top with a rosette-carved edge, on a blind fretwork frieze and pierced brackets, raised on molded square legs.
Mahogany
19th Century chess & card table
Located in Belgrade, RS
This "chess table," as we call it, has a chessboard on its top surface, with the chess squares made using the intarsia technique. The light squares are made of maple wood veneer, whi...
Brass
$3,890
H 29.73 in W 24.22 in D 24.02 in
ANTiQUE RESTORED WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 HARDWOOD & WALNUT WOOD CHESSBOARD TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, fully restored Antique William IV Circa 1830 Mahogany & Walnut Chessboard Chess table Ple...
Hardwood, Walnut
Lucite X-Base Base Gueridon Center Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice butterfly of X-base round guerdon center or game table with thick glass top.
Lucite
Fine Baker Burl Ash and Ebonized Wood Regency Style Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From Baker Furniture’s, "Furniture Treasures of England and Ireland" line. A nicely crafted Regency style table with book matched top figured burl...
Wood
$3,890
H 29.93 in W 36.23 in D 23.04 in
FULLY RESTORED WiLLIAM TILLMAN EXTENDING SOFA TABLE INC CHESSBOARD & BACKGAMMON
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this fully restored, absolutely Exquisite, William Tillman Flamed Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut & Leather ...
Leather, Hardwood, Walnut
$4,950
H 25.75 in Dm 48 in
John Widdicomb Burl Walnut and Sunburst Travertine Game Table with Brass Inlay
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant travertine and burl walnut game table by John Widdicomb. Octagonal base is banded with brass and veneered with beautifully grained burl walnut. The top is travertine over woo...
Travertine, Brass
19th Century William IV game table, Thea table, Console table
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Beautiful antique mahogany gaming table / tea table. The table originates from England, circa 1830, William IV era. Floral mahogany with ...
West Indian Mahogany
Circa 1835 English William IV Period Games Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 William IV period games table, English. Designed as a side console table when not in use for gaming. Flame mahogany veneers & solid mahogany. The swivel top reveals baized...
Baize, Wood
William IV Rosewood And Marble Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Square top with various marble types assembled as a playing surface. Columnar support joining a tripartite base and brass paw feet.
Marble, Brass
William IV Card Table Mahogany Games 1830
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Refined William IV card / games table in mahogany We date this to circa 1830 and it's hand crafted from mahogany Purchased from a private residence in London's Islington Top opens up...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.14 in Dm 22.84 in
RESTORED ANTiQUE WILLIAM IV CIR 1830 HARDWOOD BURR WALNUT CHESSBOARD CHESS TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original fully restored William IV circa 1830 Rosewood & Burr Walnut Chessboard table Please...
Hardwood, Walnut
An Octagonal William IV Rosewood Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
An octagonal William IV rosewood games table. Circa 1840.
Wood
William IV Style Rosewood Card/Games Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV rosewood card table. This table having a platform base with half turned mouldings and typical carved William IV feet. The column of the table being of a faceted form and...
Rosewood
Superb William IV Rosewood Folding Games or Card Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb William IV Rosewood folding games or card table This is an exceptionally fine quality piece with a beautiful patina, it takes up little space and would make a superb console table, the table unfolds to make a 3ft square games table The base leg and apron of the table are carved and decorated, the table has 4 large claw feet and wonderful carving around the centre leg The top apron has a carved scroll decoration, this swivels and opens out revealing a compartment with plenty of room inside to store the cards and games The table is fully restored and has a new green base playing area...
Rosewood
William IV Carved Birdseye Maple Game and Sewing Table C. 1840
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This beatiful English William IV birdseye maple table can be used both as a traditional sewing tale and with the top folded out as a game table with an inlaid chess board. The table has one drawer for gaming as well as sewing tools...
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 23 in D 15 in
William IV Carved Mahogany and Satinwood Game and Sewing Table, C. 1840
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This beatiful English William IV table can be used both as a traditional sewing tale and with the top folded out as a game table with a circular gilt tooled leather surface. When not...
Brass
William Iv-Period Specimen Chess Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
A luxurious array of rare marbles and hard stones are inset into the playing surface of this William IV-period chess table. The visually appealing arrangement incorporates specimens ...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Griotte Marble, Siena Marble
English Exotic Wood William IV Games Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
English Exotic wood ‘flip-top’ games table, raised on a pedestal support over trefoil base. C. 1840.
Fruitwood, Walnut