What is a William IV ottoman work box?

A William IV ottoman work box is a multi-functional piece of furniture produced during the 1830s in Britain. It combines a cushioned top for seating or foot-resting with a hollow interior designed to hold sewing, needlework, or textiles.

What materials were traditionally used in crafting 19th-century work boxes?

These pieces typically feature solid hardwood bases such as mahogany or rosewood, combined with upholstered timber carcasses. Internal frames rely on traditional joinery, while the upholstery was originally padded with materials like horsehair and covered in heavy woven fabrics or tapestry.

How can you identify an authentic William IV period ottoman?

Authentic pieces from this period generally feature solid timber plinth bases, squab-style flattened ball or bun feet, flared or waisted sides, and traditional brass hardware or hinges. Construction details often include hand-cut dovetails inside the frame and evidence of hand-tacked upholstery.

How can an antique ottoman work box be styled in a modern interior?

An antique work box functions effectively as a footrest beside an armchair, an occasional seat in a hallway, or as accent seating at the foot of a bed, while providing concealed storage for modern living spaces.

How should fabric and timber on an antique ottoman be maintained?

Clean upholstery using a low-suction vacuum attachment, avoiding liquid cleaners that could mark vintage textiles. Treat the exposed wooden plinth and feet with high-grade beeswax, and keep the object away from direct heat sources and direct sunlight to prevent drying or fading.

for sale €345 $375

£295

Brookside Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2018

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Id #SA1004887

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William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Name: William IV Ottoman / Work Box
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1004887
Price: 295 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Brookside Antiques

Description

Here we have for sale today this William IV Ottoman Work Box.

Dating 1835 ish and Upholstered.

All raised on these mahogany bun feet with bottom molding, all made in this very desirable sarcophagus shape.

A hinged lid with a fully relined interior. Newly reupholstered in this Apple Green Jim Dickens contrast fabric, having a pattered lid and plain base trimmed in a matching braid.

Solid in all its joints with NO breaks, NO splits, and NO woodworm.

Please note that this chair is in very good condition, ready to use and requires NO restoration.

If paying using PayPal please note Shipping/Delivery will be extra.

During this COVID-19 situation we are happy to store purchased items large and small (at NO storage charge) until you are in a position to receive them, however we will continue to deliver to UK addresses, until and if the authorities forbid this movement.

Contact details

Gerard James (available 24 hrs) don’t hesitate to contact, please ring or text, 07851385634 also available on land line in the evenings & weekends contact 01270 253730

Condition details

During this COVID-19 situation we are happy to store purchased items large and small (at NO storage charge) until you are in a position to receive them, however we will continue to deliver to UK addresses, until and if the authorities forbid this movement.

Unless otherwise stated all item are in excellent condition and ready to use, with all upholstered items been recently upholstered, we can also offer a re-upholstery service, in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood & Jim Dickens fabrics (samples available)

Viewing details

Available to view at SY13 4HY contact 07851385634 (Gerard) customers are welcome to come and view items of furniture at our premises at Norbury (Shropshire) please note by appointment only, this is due to the items been stored, and we would need to unpack it for display.

Delivery & Collection details

Collection FREE, delivery available England and Wales, London area £45 with the large items and chair sets we usually deliver to central England & Wales for the asking price, for further afield please contact for costing’s, we deliver large items ourselves, with all items packed and wrapped to insure no damage, with years of experience, smaller items will be sent by carrier please contact for costing.

Payment details

Payment methods can be by Bank to Bank transfer, cash, cheque, credit or debit card. All moneys must be cleared before items are delivered or collected. We offer a UK, 7 day full money refund if items are not as described or do not suit your requirements (excluding logistics)

Shipping details

We have sold furniture to international customers, and have had their shippers collect from our workshop. We have also had items shipped abroad door to door all insurance covered, contact for quotes. .

Physical Dimensions

Height

47cm (18.50")

Width

54cm (21.26")

Depth

52cm (20.47")

Declaration

Brookside Antiques has dated this William IV Ottoman Workbox to the Regency era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1004887

Dealers Internal Reference

00748

Dealers Notes

Contact Evenings & Weekends 01270 663204

Brookside Antiques

Dear customers all items of furniture can be viewed at our premises at Norbury in Shropshire SY13 4HY by appointment only, this is due to items being packed away in storage. ( and we would need to unpack them for display, please note this is not a problem, as we welcome viewers/customers)

We are a furniture restoration workshop, busy from day to day doing restoration work for the trade and general public alike.

All items for sale have been restored if restoration is required, unless otherwise stated. Upholstered items will have been re-upholstered, however if the fabric choice is not to taste, we offer a re-upholstery service in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood and Jim Dickens Fabric ( samples available )

Regards Gerard James

Description

Here we have for sale today this William IV Ottoman Work Box.

Dating 1835 ish and Upholstered.

“

All raised on these mahogany bun feet with bottom molding, all made in this very desirable sarcophagus shape.

Brookside Antiques

fig 1. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 1. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

A hinged lid with a fully relined interior. Newly reupholstered in this Apple Green Jim Dickens contrast fabric, having a pattered lid and plain base trimmed in a matching braid.

Solid in all its joints with NO breaks, NO splits, and NO woodworm.

fig 2. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 2. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Please note that this chair is in very good condition, ready to use and requires NO restoration.

If paying using PayPal please note Shipping/Delivery will be extra.

During this COVID-19 situation we are happy to store purchased items large and small (at NO storage charge) until you are in a position to receive them, however we will continue to deliver to UK addresses, until and if the authorities forbid this movement.

fig 3. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 3. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Contact details

Gerard James (available 24 hrs) don’t hesitate to contact, please ring or text, 07851385634 also available on land line in the evenings & weekends contact 01270 253730

Condition details

fig 4. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 4. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Unless otherwise stated all item are in excellent condition and ready to use, with all upholstered items been recently upholstered, we can also offer a re-upholstery service, in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood & Jim Dickens fabrics (samples available)

fig 5. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 5. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Viewing details

Available to view at SY13 4HY contact 07851385634 (Gerard) customers are welcome to come and view items of furniture at our premises at Norbury (Shropshire) please note by appointment only, this is due to the items been stored, and we would need to unpack it for display.

fig 6. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 6. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Delivery & Collection details

Collection FREE, delivery available England and Wales, London area £45 with the large items and chair sets we usually deliver to central England & Wales for the asking price, for further afield please contact for costing’s, we deliver large items ourselves, with all items packed and wrapped to insure no damage, with years of experience, smaller items will be sent by carrier please contact for costing.

fig 7. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 7. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Payment details

Payment methods can be by Bank to Bank transfer, cash, cheque, credit or debit card. All moneys must be cleared before items are delivered or collected. We offer a UK, 7 day full money refund if items are not as described or do not suit your requirements (excluding logistics)

fig 8. A square William IV upholstered ottoman work box featuring a gold and red floral patterned lid, flared fabric body, and a mahogany plinth base. — fig 8. William IV Ottoman / Work Box

Shipping details

We have sold furniture to international customers, and have had their shippers collect from our workshop. We have also had items shipped abroad door to door all insurance covered, contact for quotes. .