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.
Fine English William IV Carved Birdseye Maple and Rosewood Centre Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine English William IV Carved bird's-eye maple and rosewood centre table, circa 1835 Fitted with a inlaid scagliola top. measure: Height 29 in x diameter 42 in. Prov...
Wood
Large William IV Rosewood Tilt-Top Centre Table
Located in Kent, Dover
A large English, William IV tilt-top rosewood centre table, on a triform base, with central column and beautifully figured top.
Rosewood
William IV Rosewood Tilt-Top Centre Table on Tripartite Pedestal, c.1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
A handsome 19th Century English William IV center table in richly figured rosewood, combining the bold architectural forms characteristic of the period with restrained elegance in it...
Brass
Centre table Susanne Fjeldsøe Mygge by France & Sons - cado
Located in London, GB
An early 1970's centre table with painted and gilded top, with an aluminium base, by Susanne Fjeldsøe Mygge. Signed Mygge. Produced by France ...
Aluminum, Gold Leaf
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
English Regency Rosewood Centre Table
Located in Queens, NY
"English Regency rosewood center table with floral filigree brass inlaid apron supported on a turned pedestal base with 3 scroll legs ending in a hairy paw foot with a brown leather ...
Brass
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
19th Century Gueridon Centre Table with Sèvres Style Porcelain Panels
Located in London, GB
A superb gueridon centre table. with sèvres style porcelain panels. Constructed from bois noirci and kingwood with mercury fire gilded ornament, the central support rising from a...
Ormolu
Antique English William IV Rosewood Tilt Top Table, Circa 1840.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English William IV Rosewood Tilt Top Table, Circa 1840. This table has an exceptional wood finish and beautiful carving on the ped...
Rosewood
Circa 1835 William IV English Center Table or Loo Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 William IV period center table or loo table, English. Vasi-form pedestal standard ending in voluminous flared lapet carved plinth over round base following the top design ...
Wood
$6,953
H 28.94 in Dm 47.64 in
William IV circa 1830 Antique Hardwood Lions Hairy Paw Centre Occasional Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite antique circa 1830 William IV Rosewood centre table A very good looking and well made antique centre table. This piece is as good and honest as they come, it has the original finish hence some light marks to the top, I can have it restored by my French polisher for the cost price, I have left it as it is because some like to see antiques in their original state first The feet are ornately carved Lion...
Hardwood
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
$20,860
H 29.34 in Dm 39.38 in
Important Antique 1830 William iv Pietra Dura Specimen Marble Centre Table
By PIETRA DURA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this important William Iv Circa 1830 Flamed Mahogany Spiral Column base centre table with stunning Pietra Dura Speciamin...
Marble
Tilt top table in red walnut
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Early tilt top table in red walnut with a beautiful dark red patina. Stamped: L.W. Morris
Walnut
George IV Walnut Round drum Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Beautiful early 19th century George IV walnut drum table The circular top inset with a tooled leather writing panel, the frieze fitted with four rea...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Rare 19th Century William IV Turtle Stone Marble Top Specimen Table
Located in Benington, Herts
A delightful and rare 19th century William IV period Septarian Nodule / turtle stone English marble circular specimen table. English, circa 1835....
Marble
William IV Mahogany and Marble Round Occasional Table
Located in London, by appointment only
England, circa 1840. The highly figured marble top with mahogany edges, raised on a elegant fluted baluster column and supported on a triangular base with concave sides and bun fe...
Marble
William IV Giltwood and Pietra Dure Occasional Table
Located in London, by appointment only
A fine mid-19th century William IV carved giltwood and specimen marble circular occasional table raised on three hairy paw feet, England, circa 1840. Measures: Height 76cm 30i...
Marble
Italian Sorrento Marquetry Tilt-Top Table
Located in London, by appointment only
Italy, circa 1840. A rare and very fine 19th century Sorrento marquetry tilt-top table inlaid with exotic specimen woods depicting eight bucolic ...
English William IV Style Mahogany Pedestal Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
the circular top with a raised and carved edge above a vase turned support resting on a round plinth base atop carved paw feet
A fine mid 19th century mahogany occasional table
Located in London, GB
A fine mid 19th century mahogany occasional table, the top inset with a large fragment of turtle stone with turned pedestal and tripod base.