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.
$3,588 / set
Pair of William IV Bronze Lion Candlesticks
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A unusual pair of bronze lion candlesticks on black marble base hung with triangular icicles.
Marble, Bronze
William IV Wine Funnel Made in Exeter by Isaac Parkin, 1833
Located in London, GB
Exeter. A Very Rare William IV Wine Funnel Made in Exeter in 1833 by Isaac Parkin. The Wine Funnel is of typical form and the bowl is baluster in shape, with a gadrooned rim and sid...
Silver
Antique Restored William iv Period circa 1830 Wingback Brown Leather Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very uniquely shaped, Circa 1830 William IV, brown leather and Mahogany Wingback armchair with ornately carved frame A simply glorious pie...
Leather, Hardwood
William IV Canterbury Mahogany Magazine Music Rack Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous William IV canterbury in mahogany An antique Canterbury refers to a piece of furniture designed to hold sheet music, magazines, or newspapers Circa 1810 on this piece Viewin...
Mahogany
William IV Mahogany Tea Caddy in the Form of a Pedestal Sideboard
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual William IV mahogany tea caddy in the form of a pedestal sideboard with a hinged lid opening to reveal a central well for a mixing bowl (now missing) flanked by two removab...
Mahogany
Pair of William IV Adjustable Mahogany Library Armchairs, by George Minter
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of William IV adjustable mahogany library armchairs, by George Minter, one dated 1832, each with adjustable buttoned leather-upholstered backs, seats and armrests, the seats w...
Leather, Mahogany
William IV Piano Stool Revolving Chair Seat Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
William IV Mahogany Revolving Piano Stool. 19th Century This Rather Elegant Piano Stool Stands upon Turned and Shaped Front Legs with Sabre Back Legs. The Recently Reupholstered Seat...
Mahogany
19th Century Set Six Dining Chairs Stamped 'Johnstone & Jeanes'
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century set of six dining chairs with X-shaped mahogany frames and padded backs. Central carved rose detail to the X-frame legs j...
Mahogany, Upholstery
An Elegant William IV Gilt Bronze Mounted Cellarette
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An elegant William IV gilt bronze mounted cellarette, 2nd quarter of the 19th century.
Giltwood
Very Robust Brassbound William IV Anglo-Chinese Padouk Silver Chest
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very robust brassbound William IV Anglo-Chinese padouk silver chest, of rectangular form with a hinged lid and the original substantial brass carrying handles, the lock stamped ‘Barron WR Patent’. Circa 1830. Footnote: In 1778 Robert Barron...
Padouk
Early 19th Century William IV Mahogany Pedestal Card Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century William IV mahogany pedestal card table, it has four down-swept legs which terminate on original brass casters. The top is cross-banded and swivels to reveal an in...
Mahogany
William IV Bergere Chair, Antique Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive Mahogany William IV Bergere Chair. 19th century Having Ring turned front legs with brass castors and sabre back legs. Turned Arm supports and reeded Arms. The Cresting...
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Fruitwood Teapoy
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century William IV Fruitwood Teapoy with rectangular caddy top above lotus carved body on slender pod over finely carved base
Fruitwood
A William IV Antique Register Grate by Carron, early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An ornately decorated Register Grate in the manner of the William IV, made by the Carron Foundry in Falkirk. Scottish early 19th Century. External Height: 38″ – 96.5 cm External Wid...
Iron
William IV plum-pudding mahogany cellaret of sarcophagus form
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV plum-pudding mahogany cellaret of sarcophagus form with a hinged lid, surmounted by an apple and grape finial, the interior with fitted bottle compartments.
Mahogany
19th Century Overmantel Mirror with Elliptical Panels
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century overmantel mirror with elliptical panels crested with a floral and foliate motif. The side panels, with elliptical insert design, are flanked on either side by fluted and garlanded neo-classical style pillars topped...
Mirror, Giltwood
A William IV satinwood display cabinet attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A William IV satinwood display cabinet attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock, the upper section with a marble top and ormolu gallery above two large glazed doors, the lower section in the form of a bureau plat with the original leather inset writing surface and three disguised frieze drawers, all raised upon cabriole legs, decorated overall with floral marquetry in exotic woods including tulipwood, purpleheart and fruitwoods, with superb fire-gilded ormolu mounts including elaborate goddess masks. English, circa 1830. Footnote: Edward Holmes Baldock, (1777-1845) was one of the first London antique dealers, in the modern sense of the word. He principally dealt in 18th century French furniture...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Mahogany X Frame Stool
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century mahogany X frame stool with comfortable upholstered seat, scrolling supports and shaped stretchers
Mahogany
19th Century William IV Maple Centre Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautiful 19th century Birdseye maple centre table. The whole is supported by two decorative pedestal bases and scroll feet. Beautiful colour and aged patina, in good condition!
Maple
Pair Antique William IV Wine Bottle Coasters / Champagne Coasters Sheffield 1830
By Waterhouse, Hodgson & Co. 1
Located in London, GB
A pair of magnificent and unusual Antique William IV Sterling Silver Wine Bottle Coasters with a stepped chased floral and foliate design on the exterior of the coasters. The base of coasters is made of turned wood and each coaster has a large silver plaque...
Sterling Silver
A Large Pair William IV Style Brass Column Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of late 19th century William IV style brass column lamps with bulbous base supported on a square plinth, the column rising out of the bulb and decorated with leaf shoots. Cur...
Brass
Pair of English Mahogany Pedestal Hinged Game Tables on Brass Casters, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English mahogany foliage pedestal hinged game tables with flanking scrolled corners, gadrooned skirts, baize card playing surfaces, open interiors for storage, and resting bun feet with the original brass casters, Early 19th century. Pair of Game Tables...
Brass