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.
A George IV rosewood and scagliola occasional table attributed to Gillows c.1825
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
The rectangular top of this table tilts up to display a scagliola landscape scene showing the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Temples of Vespasian and Saturn, the Column of Phocas and ...
Scagliola, Rosewood
William IV Mahogany Occasional Table circa 1830 with George III Mahogany Tray
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A William IV mahogany occasional table circa 1830 together with George III mahogany oval tray The table with flame mahogany rectangular top on a round tapering column and ...
Mahogany
Mahogany William IV Parcel-Gilt Tray on Stand, 19th Century English
Located in El Monte, CA
A handsome William IV mahogany and parcel-gilt tray on stand that exemplifies the restrained elegance of the period. Both tray and stand are crafted from rich mahogany polished to hi...
Mahogany
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
$2,692
H 28.75 in W 42.25 in D 23.75 in
Antique English Regency Rosewood Library Table Writing Desk Gillows Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Very Imposing example of an English well figured Rosewood Library or Writing Table firmly attributed to renowned Cabinet Makers Gillows of rectangular outline with rounded corners....
Mahogany
English George III Mahogany Butler's Tray Table on Folding Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century Regency George III period mahogany butler's tray on folding stand. Unusual square shape tray as these are mostly rectangle in shape. Beautiful old patina with ex...
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Inlaid Serving Tray on Stand
Located in High Point, NC
19th century mahogany shaped serving tray with serpentine and inlaid molded gallery and bulbous brass handles. The tray has a central satinwood feathered design, and intricately inla...
Brass
$1,831
H 22.05 in W 27.56 in D 17.72 in
Antique English 19th Century Sheraton Revival Mahogany Tray Table
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th century Sheraton Revival Mahogany Tray Table. circa 1890. In very good condition commensurate with age.
Brass
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
English Painted Tole Tray Table, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
English 19th century painted round tall tray with sixteen sides. The tray is beautifully hand painted tole with floral and leaf motif, resting on later ebonized and parcel gilt bamb...
Metal
FORNASETTI Two Tier Tray Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table with two removable trays in lacquered wood and faux bamboo patinated brass base / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti labels on the base of tra...
Brass
Regency Rosewood Library Table Attributed To Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Sherborne, GB
English rosewood library table, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London. With elaborate holly wood inlay/marquetry cross banding using Thomas Wilkinson’s tracings who was a dra...
Rosewood
19th Century Papier Mache' Tray on Stand
Located in Arundel, GB
A Victorian papier mache', scallop form tea tray with gilt floral decoration. Mounted on a later, ebonised, faux bamboo stand.
Lacquer
Jansen Attributed to Round Occasional Table
Located in New York, NY
Elegant round steel occasional table with gold accents and variegated brown marble top. Attributed to Jansen.
Marble
English Butlers Table 19th Century from South Africa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An English Butlers Tray Table. Acquired in Johannesburg, Africa. The table sits on a stand with straps of Ticking fabrics, which folds for easy storag...
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century William IV Mahogany Two-Tier Dumb Waiter
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality dumb waiter, circa 1830. Two-tiers united by turned and fluted columns. Standing on three reeded legs and brass castors. Measures: Height: 41 1/2" to top tier. Height...
Mahogany
English William IV Period Tray Top Side Table
Located in London, GB
Constructed in goncalo alves, the platform having a shaped and scalloped top, and supported by torsade legs with castors at the base: having a ring turned ‘X’ form stretcher with a c...
Wood
French Oval Papier Mâché Tray Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful oval hand painted Papier Mache' tray with flowers and inlay of mother of pearl and a gilt border sitting on a later custom black painted stand. French, 19th. Century.
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Paper