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Howard & Sons London Leather Topped Faux Bamboo Writing Table, circa 1875

About the Item

English circa 1875 Aesthetic Movement writing table or desk by London cabinetmakers Howard & Sons having original green leather top; the oval form case with single drawer and original faux bamboo painted finish on turned segmented x-form stretcher and legs with original brass casters; the top of the drawer stamped either side of the lock 'Howard & Sons Berners St'. Howard & Sons Biography: Howard & Sons, one of the most famous and fashionable of British furniture makers, was founded in 1820 at 24 Lemon Street, London by John Howard. In 1848 the company moved to 22 Berners Street, expanded in 1853 into 26 Berners Street, and from 1861-89 additional workshops were at Tottenham Street, Charlotte Mews, and Fitzroy Square. The Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1862 saw their first awarded prize for an exhibited suite of library furniture. In 1865 George Howard patented a method for the wood veneering of walls and in 1867 a patent for the improved production of parquet flooring. In 1866 Howard patented the 'Elastic Seat' which reimagined the inside workings of traditional upholstery, cementing the company’s fame for upholstered seat furniture. In 1872 the company expanded further into 25 and 27 Berners Street. The firm exhibited and won medals at the 1878 Paris Exhibition, the 1894 Antwerp Exhibition, the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and were awarded the first of their royal warrants in 1901. In 1935 the company moved to 31 Old Burlington Street where they produced mainly upholstered furniture until finally closing in 1947. Howard & Sons was revived in the latter 20th-century as ‘Howard Chairs Ltd.’ at 30 Lyme Street, London, utilizing the original patented upholstery techniques. The above history is credited to Paul A. Shutler.

Creator:

Howard & Sons Ltd (Cabinetmaker)

Dimensions:

Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)

Style:

Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Birch,Brass,Leather,Hand-Carved,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

England

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1875

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Lacking key.

Seller Location:

Kinderhook, NY

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU1002125935402

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Shop All Howard & Sons Ltd

Howard & Sons Ltd

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.