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 1831 ORIGINAL WiLLIAM IV NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER DEPICTING A VERSE ON YOUTH
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rather stunning, 1831 dated needlework sampler made in the reign of King William IV I have various ot...
Cotton
ANTIQUE 1838 ORIGINAL EARLY ViCTORIAN NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER IN THE PERIOD FRAME
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rather stunning, 1838 dated needlework sampler made in the second year of Queen Victoria's reign I ha...
Cotton
19th Century Framed Scottish Tapestry, Wool, William IV Style, Fair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century framed Scottish tapestry. This is a charming 19th century framed Scottish tapestry The tapestry is hand woven and set on a golden oa...
Wool
1128, 19th Century Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Paris, FR
A late 19th century French Aubusson tapestry panel, romantic scene ready to hang.
Wool
$10,995Sale Price|31% Off
H 56 in W 102 in D 0.05 in
Late 19th Century English William Morris Large Leaf Verdure Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
An English William Morris verdure tapestry from the turn of the 20th century, featuring several peacocks within a verdant setting of large leaves and floral sprays. Enclosed within a...
Wool
19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven in Aubusson, France in the 19th Century, this lovely Tapestry features a pair of lovers in a classic Rococo vinyet and has its original fruit and floral border. It measures...
Tapestry, Wool, Silk
Antique Scottish Sampler, c.1840, by Helen Smith
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian Scottish Sampler, with a house and a thistle motif. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, in a variety of stitches. Meandering strawberry border. Colours...
Silk
Antique Scottish Sampler, 1813, by Erskine Wade Sinclair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Georgian Scottish Sampler, 1813, by Erskine Wade Sinclair. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, principally in cross stitch. Meandering strawberry border. Colours...
Silk
19th Century French Rustic Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French rustic genre tapestry from the 19th century, centrally woven, portraying young nobles at play in an opulent courtyard, with a young man pushing a young lady on a swing...
Wool
Antique Scottish Sampler, 1805, by Eliza McKune
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Georgian Scottish Sampler, 1805, by Eliza McKune. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, mainly in cross stitch. Meandering floral border. Colours gold, red, green,...
Silk
French 19th Century Large Gilt Wood Framed Tapestry
Located in Carmine, TX
Beautiful 19th-century French tapestry depicting a romantic pastoral scene with elegantly dressed figures gathered in a lush countryside landscape. Richly woven in soft, muted tones ...
Giltwood, Tapestry
Antique Sampler, 1834, By Mary Thornhill
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
William IV Sampler, 1834, By Mary Thornhill. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground. Meandering strawberry border. Colours green, gold, silver, pink, brown and blue....
Silk
19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson tapestry from the 19th century, depicting several young courtiers spending a leisurely afternoon gaily dancing and carousing within the splendidly maintained verdan...
Wool
Early Georgian Needlework Picture
Located in Greenwich, CT
An George I English needlework picture depicting musicians, maidens, dogs and ducks in the grounds of an estate with detailed renderings of flora an...
Textile
826 - 19th Century Tapestry Door
Located in Paris, FR
826 - 19th century tapestry door.
Wool
William IV Sampler, 1832, by Ann Head
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
William IV Sampler dated 1832, by Ann Head. The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, mainly in cross stitch. Geometric border. Colours blue, gold, silver, green and pink. Signe...
Silk
19th Century William IV Mahogany Pole Screen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mahogany pole screen complete with tapestry, circa 1830 Carved stem Tapestry depicts a young lady outside with dog Measure: Height 54 1/4" Base: 16 3/4" x 16 3/4".
Mahogany