Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
For more than two centuries, the name Howard & Sons Ltd has been synonymous with elegance and exceptional handcrafted quality. Their Victorian furnishings graced grand old hotels like The Savoy in London, British Royal residences and luxury yachts of the day, including American business tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt’s North Star.
Today, stately armchairs, sofas and rich, hand-carved serving tables from Howard & Sons continue to be a gold standard among the most discerning furniture collectors. Queen Elizabeth II is even said to have owned the world's most extensive collection of Howard & Sons chairs.
Howard & Sons Ltd was founded in 1820 on Leman street in London by cabinetmaker and upholsterer John Howard. Although he had three sons — George, Charles and Joseph — it was only George who later joined his father in running the family business. Before their upholstered armchairs and sofas garnered universal acclaim, Howard & Sons was a cabinetry company that collaborated with another well-known cabinetmaker, Gillows of Lancaster and London, on large projects and likely manufactured upholstered furniture for Gillows.
Howard & Sons Ltd showcased their pieces and won awards at several important exhibitions towards the end of the 19th century. They were given medals at the 1878 Paris Exhibition, the 1894 Antwerp Exhibition and the 1900 Paris Exposition. In 1901, they received their first Royal warrant to supply upholstered furniture to King Edward VII.
Howard & Sons Ltd continued production until 1947. During the 1950s, a London decorating firm called Lenygon & Morant began to trade under the Howard name. The company re-emerged in 1967 as Howard Chairs Ltd. Today, the brand is again known again as Howard & Sons and carries on the tradition of creating bespoke furniture from their London-based workshop.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Howard & Sons Ltd seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other collectibles.
20th Century English Victorian Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery
19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Mahogany
1930s English Late Victorian Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Fabric, Beech
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery
1880s English High Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Hardwood, Leather
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 1900s English Country Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery
1880s Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
1880s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather
1870s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Walnut
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather, Wood
19th Century English Country Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1880s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Calico
1880s Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Country Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech, Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Brass
20th Century British Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Fabric
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Velvet
20th Century English Victorian Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather
Late 20th Century Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Cotton
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Velvet, Wicker, Beech
2010s English Victorian Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather
19th Century English Country Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1870s English High Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Wool, Chenille, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s European William and Mary Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century English Country Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Mahogany
19th Century European Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Silk, Walnut
Late 19th Century British Edwardian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Leather
19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Oak
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
Howard & Sons Ltd armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Howard & Sons Ltd
- What is a Howard sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Howard sofa is characterized by its slightly curved sprung back, low level arms and a deep seat designed for comfort. It has been described as a timeless British classic. Shop a collection of authentic Howard sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To spot an authentic Howard & Sons chair, first look for a name or number on the inside of the back foot. There may also be a paper label sewn into the hessian or a name stamp on the wheel. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of expertly vetted Howard & Sons chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, all Howard and Sons chairs are stamped. However, the type and location of the stamp varies. You may see a name or number on a caster wheel or foot on some pieces. Others display the stamp on a paper label sewn onto the fabric. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted Howard and Sons chairs.