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.
English Mahogany Triple Pedestal Dining Room Table with Orig. Paw Casters C 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany triple pedestal dining room table with three central fluted urn ringed pedestals, splayed reeded saber legs, and resting on the original lio...
Brass
Antique Spirits Table, English, Burr Maple, Glasses Stand, Teapoy, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique spirits table. An English, burr maple and walnut decanter & glasses stand or teapoy, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. An exceptional drawing room drink...
Maple, Walnut
William IV Mahogany Dining Table with Lions Paw Feet, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
William IV mahogany dining table with lions paw feet, 19th century. Exceptionally well built late 19th century mahogany dining table. This ...
Mahogany
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in Dm 36 in
Oak and Beech Round Pedestal Dining or Entry Table by MSJ Furniture
Located in Vancouver, BC
This beech table with oak base is perfect for a small eating area or entryway. The tabletop is beech that has been bleached and white washed to leave a dazzling finish. The oak bas...
Beech, Oak
William IV Antique Library Table
Located in New York, NY
A William IV Rosewood Library Table Writing Desk. Wonderful 19th century William IV Library Table with rosewood top with molded edge and skirt, having rosewood banded apron set on ...
Rosewood
Antique Italian Gilded Putti Pedestal Table Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A hand carved antique Italian gilded putti decorated pedestal table or stand. Exquisitely handcrafted in the early 20th century, having a circular top, ra...
Giltwood
Oak and Beech Round Pedestal Dining or Entry Table by MSJ Furniture
Located in Vancouver, BC
This beech table with blackened oak base is perfect for an eating area or entryway. The tabletop is beech that has been bleached and white washed to leave a dazzling finish. The oak...
Beech, Oak
$550
H 19.5 in W 13 in D 10.75 in
Antique English Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Plant Sculpture Candle Stand 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa mid 20th century mahogany candle / plant stand with round top, turned pedestal base and tripod feet. Top screws onto base. Made in England. Dimensions: 10.75" x 13" x 19.5" (W...
Mahogany
Antique Bobbin Leg Solid Oak Plant Stand/Pedestal Table
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1571 American antique soliak plant stand or pedestal table with square top raised on bobbin turned legs
Oak
$1,098Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.8 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of English Antique Ebonised Wood Plant Stands
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of late 19th century ebonised wood plant stands with two tier display tables standing on 4 semi curved legs . C1890s England
Bentwood
$19,549
H 29.14 in W 179.93 in D 54.14 in
Antique 15ft William IV Cuban Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1810 in date. This amazing table can seat sixteen people in comfort and has been hand-crafted from beau...
Brass
English Mahogany Tilt Top Center Table with Lions Paw Feet, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany tilt top center table with octagon shaped pedestal, tripod base, and resting on the original lion's paw feet with brass casters. Table has original brass locking mec...
Brass
$4,995
H 31 in W 70.5 in D 58 in
Antique William IV Style Mahogany Oval Dining Table w/Turned Legs & Casters
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous 19th Century antique William IV style oval dining table composed of a mahogany frame with straight turned legs w/hand carved details, a burled apron, & brass rings over...
Brass
$13,033
H 29.93 in W 171.26 in D 53.15 in
Antique 14 ft 6" William IV Extending Dining Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent antique William IV mahogany dining table which can seat sixteen diners in comfort, Circa 1835 in date. This beautiful table is in stunning flame mahogany and...
Mahogany
Pedestal White Marble Dining Table
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Dining table in carved Veneciano white marble. Handmade in Mexico. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additional busine...
Marble
Pair of William IV Mahogany Pedestal Cabinets
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderful pair of William IV mahogany and mahogany veneer pedestal cabinets. Circa 1835.
Mahogany
Sold
H 27.5 in W 24 in D 18.75 in
Early 19th Century William IV Occasional Table Attributed To Williams and Gibton
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning early 19th Century William IV rosewood pedestal lamp, side or occasional table attributed to Williams and Gibton. This gorgeous piece is finely hand carved, of exceptiona...
Rosewood
English William IV Oak Plant Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a charming 20th century English William IV revival plant stand or torchère of oak in the original finish. The plant stand features a dished top to securely rest a plant, candle, or a vase. The round top smoothly tapers to a handsome turned wood pedestal...
Oak
Large Antique English Breakfast Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large 19th century painted breakfast table with large carved paw feet, 1830. Clearance under the rail is 26.5"(67cm) Dimensions 29...
Mahogany
English Carved Oak Breakfast Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Very good 19th century carved and bleached oak breakfast table on castors. Lovely grape and vine carving to the base. 1830 Dimensions 30 inches...
Oak
Sold
H 28.5 in W 21.5 in D 17.5 in
English Mid-19th Century William IV Mahogany Pedestal Table with Frieze Drawer
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This fine William IV Mahogany occasional table features an octagonal top above a frieze concealing one long drawer supported by a carved center pedestal resting on a shaped base with...
Mahogany
Wood Display Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A detailed four-sided wood display case from France, circa 1850. Can be used as a four-sided bookshelf or cabinet with open shelving. The top is flat...
Wood