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 a bust-length reduction of J.P. Fischer's three-quarter-length miniature dating from 1827 showing the Queen of Württemberg sketching (420233).

Signed, dated and inscribed on the counter-enamel in red paint: Her Majesty the / Queen Dowr of Wurtemburg / and Princess Royal of England / 1845 / Painted by W m Bone. Enamel / painter to the King of Hanover / after the Original by J. Paul / Fischer.