Fourth son of Henry Bone (1755 – 1834), enamel painter, William Bone was taught enamel painting by his father. He exhibited at the Royal Academy 1815 – 43 and from 1842 he styled himself Miniature Painter to the King of Hanover. There is evidence of his collaboration with his elder brothers, Henry Pierce Bone and Robert Trewick Bone, also enamellists and his work was, at least on occasion, the equal of Henry Pierce. William Bone had no children; his title 'Senior' distinguishes him from his nephew, William Bone Junior, son of Henry Pierce Bone.

Bone's enamel is based on an amalgam of two of Sir Thomas Lawrence's portrait types, the head from the portrait of the Prince Regent in 1818 (Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin) and the costume from his portrait of the King seated, in private dress, dating from 1822 (Wallace Collection, London).

Signed, dated and inscribed on the counter-enamel in red paint: His Majesty / George the 4th / Painted in Enamel / by Will m Bone after / Lawrence / London / 1842.