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 William IV Drop-Leaf Work Occasional Table Flame Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An exquisite antique William IV flame mahogany drop leaf work table, circa 1830 in date. The drop-leaf top with rounded corners supported by fly brackets ornamented with foliate scr...
Mahogany
Antique William IV Quality Figured Mahogany Work Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique William IV quality figured mahogany work box having a quality figured mahogany work box with a lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted interior consisting of five original lid...
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Century Cheval Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century William IV century cheval mirror. The reeded frame flanked by candleholders.
EXQUISITE WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 FLAMED HARDWOOD SiDE END WORK SEWING TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super decorative Antique circa 1830 William IV Flamed Mahogany sewing or work table of the fi...
Hardwood
Antique William IV period Old Sheffield meat dish and cover made circa 1830
By Roberts, Smith & Co.
Located in London, London
Made circa 1830 by Roberts, Smith & Co. , this attractive, Antique, William IV period Old Sheffield Plate Meat Dish & Cover, features a pumpkin shaped cover with flat chased detailin...
Sheffield Plate
Quality Antique William IV Rosewood Work Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique William IV rosewood work box having a quality rosewood lift up top opening to reveal a storage compartment, shaped frieze and raised on a shaped pedestal column standing on a platform base with quality carved rosewood scrolled...
Rosewood
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Staffordshire English Ceramic plate Whampoa pattern circa 1842
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire English Ceramic 8.25” Plate / Whampoa pattern circa 1842
Ceramic
$564Sale Price|20% Off
Large Antique Reference Book, Index, Rolls of Parliament, English, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique reference book, Index To The Rolls of Parliament. Printed in English, a later-bound House of Commons record, dating to the William IV period, published circa...
Paper
Staffordshire 8.25 Plate "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ceramic
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire 8.25 Plate "Whampoa Pattern" Transferware Ceramic
Ceramic
Circa 1835 English William IV Lift-Top Ottoman
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 William IV lift-top ottoman, English. Tapered body & bun feet. Once fabric covered, now in warm pine & retaining old needlework seat cover. Retains the fabric braid along ...
Fabric, Pine
English William IV Ormolu Brass Fireplace Grate with Dragons & Serpents
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pierced and engraved brass & iron English grate with opposing dragons and serpents interspersed with foliage and centred by flowers
Brass, Iron
William IV Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A handsome and well proportioned William IV mahogany partners desk with unusual patent locking mechanism. Circa 1830.
Mahogany
English William IV Mahogany Bookcase, Fluted Sides, Circa 1840, UK
Located in Queens, NY
English William IV (circa 1840) mahogany 3 section bookcase with fluted and carved sides and section dividers and resting on ball feet.
Mahogany
$5,041Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Metamorphic Console Table, English, 4 Seat Dining, Gaming, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique metamorphic console table. An English, mahogany fold-over 4 seat dining or bridge table, dating to the William IV period, circa 183...
Wood
$601Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Sampler Stool, English, Walnut, Boxwood, Embroidered, Decor, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sampler stool. An English, walnut and boxwood embroidered decorative rest, dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. Pleasingly embroidered low stool, ideal ...
Textile, Boxwood, Walnut
Carved & Polished Cow Horn William IV Portrait Patch Box, England, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
This 19th-century English patch box dates to the early–mid 1800s and is carved and polished from cow horn. It consists of two carved sections and measures approximately 2 inches in d...
Horn
William IV Wellington Chest Mahogany Chests Drawers 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A handsome antique William IV mahogany Wellington chest, crafted in richly figured mahogany and displaying the bold yet refined proportions typical of the period Circa 1860 All the d...
Mahogany
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Ceramic
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Located in Huntington, NY
Blue & White plate 8.25” Staffordshire Transferware “Whampoa Pattern”
Ceramic
Blue & White Plate 8.25" Staffordshire “Whampoa Pattern” Transferware
Located in Huntington, NY
Staffordshire 8.25” Plate “Whampoa Pattern” Transferware
Ceramic
Open Bookcase In Mahogany William IV Circa 1830-england With Secret Drawer
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine and rare early 19th century open bookcase in mahogany from the William IV period Very beautiful and unusual model decorated with columns typical of William IV bookcases The bo...
Mahogany
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
Gothic oak chest of drawers decorated with carved masks and columns
Located in London, GB
A mid 19th century Gothic revival pollard oak chest of drawers, with carved masks and columns, on bun feet. Four drawers. Brass patent locks stamped with WR royal cipher...
Oak
William IV Rosewood and Mahogany Sewing / Side Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV rosewood and mahogany side / sewing table, circa 1840. With a mahogany top with rounded corners, a rosewood drawer, a fabric U shaped sewing basket that pulls out, a finel...
Textile, Mahogany, Rosewood
19th Century Mahogany Bottle Holder
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century English mahogany bottle holder in the Georgian style with six compartment each with shaped solid side and central handle.
19th Century Mahogany Stool
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century mahogany stool with drop in seat raised on cabriole legs with leaf and shell carving terminating on hoof feet
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Duet Music Stand
Located in Essex, MA
With central finial and double lyre ratcheted sheet music holders and a single attached brass candle arm, raised on a turned reeded support, shaped triang...
Mahogany
C Hindleys 134 Oxford St. London, a Quality Drop Leaf Victorian Oak Dining Table
Located in London, GB
C Hindleys 134 Oxford St. London. Superior nineteenth century Furniture Makers of London. A good quality William the IV drop leaf oak dining tabl...
Oak
A Nineteenth Century William IV Oak and Leather Library Bergere
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840. A William IV period oak library bergère, the scrolling top rail carved with foliate designs, surmounting ring turned spindles and scrolling arms rests carved wi...
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century William IV Period Rosewood Centre Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Fine Quality William IV Period Rosewood Centre Table with Faded Golden Colour & Patina This William IV period early 19th-century centre table is crafted from well figured rosewood, ...
Rosewood
Set of 3 William IV Period Painted Toleware Shop Tea Canisters
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Set of Three Exceptional 19th-Century Toleware Shop Tea Canisters A superb and very decorative set of three 19th-century William IV period English toleware tea canisters, origin...
Tôle
Single Fusee Carriage Timepiece By Thomas Cole and James Cole, Retailed By Hunt
Located in Amersham, GB
A miniature carriage clock timepiece by Thomas Cole and his brother James Fergusson Cole. The eight day single fusee movement with english lever escapement. The case is decorated with the ‘Rose and Trellis’ pattern as seen on another of Coles clocks retailed by Edward Dent with the same handle and case construction ( JB Hawkins, “The Hawkins Pictorial Survey of Cole Clocks...
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
Antique William IV Period Birds Eye Maple Over Mantle Mirror
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous original antique William IV period birds eye maple over mantle mirror. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1850’s. It is beautifully made, with a very...
Mirror, Birdseye Maple
William IV Mahogany 3-Leaf Extending Dining Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV Extending Dining Table Mahogany 3 Leaf 19th Century A fine William IV period mahogany extending dining table, raised upon ring-turned and fluted legs terminating in brass ...
Mahogany
Large Scottish William iv Manner Statuary Marble Fireplace Surround
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A large and elegant Scottish, lightly veined statuary marble fireplace surround in the manner of William IV. A generous top shelf with rounded corners sits above a stepped full lengt...
Statuary Marble
Pair of William IV Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of William IV Mahogany Console Tables Item Code: S27-77 A fine pair of William IV mahogany console tables, each with a rectangular top raised on a central pedestal support and s...
Mahogany
19th Century English Sutherland Drop-Leaf Table in Walnut and Kingwood Veneer
Located in Dallas, TX
A small scale 19th century English Sutherland table with lovely walnut and kingwood veneer, two drop leaves, supported by turned shaped column ends, turned swing out leg, original ca...
Kingwood, Walnut
Pair of Mid-19th Century Greek Revival Cast Iron Scrolled Balcony Brackets
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of cast iron architectural balcony brackets of impressive weight and delicate design. English or American, c. 1830.
Iron
William IV Rosewood and Gilt Center Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine William IV period rosewood, faux rosewood and giltwood center/library table with leather top, the top having gadrooned edge, black gilt tooled leather top having Greek key patte...
Rosewood
Antique English William IV Mahogany Desk, Circa 1840-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English William IV mahogany desk, circa 1840-1850.
Mahogany
William IV Dining Table Mahogany Extending
Located in Potters Bar, GB
10 - 12 Seat William IV Mahogany Extending Dining Table. This Quality Dining Table Stands upon Faceted Legs with Original Brass Castors. 19th century The Table Extends by Way of a Pu...
Mahogany
Antique English 19th Century Mahogany Freestanding Full Length Floor Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique English William IV Mahogany Framed Freestanding Full Length Mirror C.1830 With turned columns on claw supports and marble base. Handsome example, presented in very good condi...
Mirror, Mahogany
Labeled 19th Century London Made Reclining Mechanical Library Chair on Castors
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic piece of labeled 19th century London made metamorphic furniture in recently tufted leather by J. Ward, “manufacturer to the Queen and royal family”. The chair reclines (from 34” to 62” with ottoman slid in place) with leather wrapped chains from a wheel on the side. The sides open up from both sides. There is an adjustable ottoman...
Bronze
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Grape Shears by Paul Storr
By Paul Storr
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique William IV English sterling silver grape shears made by Paul Storr - boxed; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional pair of antique cast sterling silver gilt grape shears has a hinged scissor action. The handles of these antique William IV sterling silver grape shears are embellished with intertwining branch ornamentation. The handles and fingerpieces are further ornamented with floral and foliate decoration, accented with fly motifs; this level of detail is indicative of this important silversmith. The circular hinged portion is surmounted with a lobed rosette design. The grape shears are fitted with plain and unembellished blades, with a rounded outer edge. These impressive sterling silver grape scissors...
Sterling Silver
$5,900 / set
Elegant Set of Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of 19th century steel fire tools comprising a pierced shovel, poker and pair of tongs, the former with oval paterea and foliate design, all with octagonal tear drop handles ...
Steel
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
Antique William IV Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique William IV writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1840-1850 period. This is of fantastic quality and is a very useful size, wit...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Antique English Tufted Red Faux Leather Club Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of lady and gentleman William IV English club chairs handcrafted in mahogany featuring alluring red faux leather button tufted upholstery, elegant arms, and turned fron...
Leather
$2,538Sale Price|35% Off
Antique William IV Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant William IV Antique Leather & Mahogany Library Chair With Athenian Carved Wood And Brass Studded Detailing Upon Brass Castors 1800's
Brass
English Lead Figural Lady Garden Statue Standing on Squared Plinth, circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English lead figural lady garden statue standing on squared plinth. mid 19th century.
Lead
William IV Rosewood Work Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Astoria, NY
William IV Rosewood Work Table, early 19th century, with two drawers on pedestal base on four bun feet. 29.5" H x 26.75" W x 18" D. Provenance: From a 45 East 62nd Street Collection.
Rosewood
William IV Dining Table Mahogany Extending 14 Seater J Fitter
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Of fine scale and excellent quality, this William IV mahogany dining table is raised upon elegant ring-turned and fluted legs, retaining their original brass and porcelain castors, a...
Mahogany
Grand William IV Carved Mahogany Sideboard or Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful example of William IV sideboard or desk carved in mahogany, an exotic wood of the period, featuring two central drawers with dividers, with lion's paw feet carved into the ...
Mahogany
English Brass Navette Form Coal Hod with Flanking Unicorn & Lion Crest. C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass navette form coal hod with centered chased handle, two hinged lids revealing original tin lined interior, flanking unicorn and lion crest, and resting on an oval base w...
Brass, Tin
$5,900 / set
Fine Set of Bronze and Steel Fire Tools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine set of bronze and steel firetools, the bronze handles with foliage and vine pattern and button finial over simple shafts, the shaped shovel with acanthus leaf and strapwork pier...
Bronze, Steel
Fine Shaped Burl Tabletop with Compass Star Inlay
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English early 19th Century solid burl yewwood tabletop with molded edge and scalloped sides with mahogany and sycamore compass star inlay, the who...
Yew
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Ice Cream Server
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique William IV English sterling silver King's pattern ice cream server; an addition to our 19th century silverware collection. This exc...
Sterling Silver
English Console Serving or Hall Table of Mahogany with Two Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English console serving or hall table of mahogany from the William IV era, featuring a rectangular top over a frieze of two drawers and set upon four turned legs. One of the t...
Wood, Mahogany
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
William IV Early Davenport Chine Serving Dish 19th Century
Located in Uppsala , SE
Most attractive early Davenport china serving dish A rare William IV period Davenport porcelain kidney shaped dish This fine piece has a shaped and ...
Porcelain