Questions & Answers
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How do you identify a Howard chair?
1 Answer

To identify a Howard chair, search the piece for a maker's mark. Over the years, the furniture maker marked its pieces in different ways. Some chairs will have a stamp on their back legs or casters when present. Others may have a label sewn onto the Hessian, the cloth found beneath the cushion on an armchair. Stamps and labels varied over time but usually featured the maker's name. Many also displayed a style number you can cross-reference with information published on trusted online resources to learn more about the chairs. If you need assistance with the identification process, you may wish to consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Howard & Sons chairs and other Howard & Sons seating.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
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Shop for Howard and Sons Seating on 1stDibs
IMPORTANT HOWARD & SON'S VICTORIAN GREEN LEATHER IVOR ARMCHAIR CLAW & BALL LEGs
By Howard and Sons, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this once in a lifetime opportunity to own this very rare, Antique Victorian original Howard & Son's Ivo...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$19,748 Sale Price
20% Off
Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown le...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Materials
Leather
Antique Howard & Sons Aesthetic Movement Sofa Claw & Ball Feet Chinoiserie Fabic
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare and original Howard & Son's circa 1880 two seat sofa with duvet feather padded arms and seat cushions, with Aesthetic movement ebonised frame and Claw & Ball feet in the original Chinese Chinoiserie upholstery.
I have a large collection of very fine restored and original unrestored Howard & Son's seating listed under my other items.
This is simply put the most comfortable sofa in the world, the arms back and base are all feather and fibre filled, you sink when seated in a similar manner to a very plump feather filled duvet.
The upholstery is super rare original Victorian, heavily distressed, its Chinese Chinoiserie and has wonderful colours. The frame is period Victorian, it is the only Aesthetic movement ebonised frame I have seen and one of very few Claw & Ball examples as well.
Howard & Sons are simply put are the finest sofa and armchair makers in history, the Queen even had a private collection.
This piece is totally original and unrestored, it will only every be original once, as such I have left it as it is for the new owner to decide what to do with it, I can help with full restoration should the new owner wish. To confirm though, as you can see the upholstery is very distressed, the frame is structurally solid and does not require any repairs
Dimensions
Height:- 74cm
Width:- 137cm
Depth:- 77cm
Seat height:- 44.5cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point.
A History of Howard and Sons
The name of Howard and Sons is probably one of the best known and highly sought-after names in Upholstered furniture. Over the next few paragraphs, I will do my best to give you a brief history of the company.
The company was started by John Howard in 1820 trading from 24 Leman St, London as a Cabinet Maker. Over the next 25 years they would make several changes of premises within the Whitechapel area. First to 27 Great Alie St (Now just Alie St) before moving a short distance to 34 Great Alie St.
In 1844 the company made its first venture into upholstered furniture by opening a showroom/workshop at 36 Red lion St. This was also to be a big move towards what would be their next and most famous location. In 1848 they moved to a new address much more accustomed with the name; Berners St. London as “Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Decorator” under the name John Howard and Sons.
The business seemed to boom at this location with workshops opening up at Tottenham St, Charlotte Mews and Fitzroy Sq and an expansion to a second Berners St building in 1853. In 1869 the company consolidated its many workshops into the one building on Cleveland St.
By 1872 the company was occupying 25, 26 and 27 Berners St. These adresses would remain unchanged until 1935. During this period they became a limited company in 1899 and won the first of their Royal warrants in 1901. In 1935 the the well-established decorators Lenygon and Morant...
Category
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
$19,253 Sale Price
30% Off
Fine Important Restored Pair of Antique Howard & Sons Leather Chesterfield Sofas
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare pair of original early Victorian Howard & Son’s Berners street cigar brown leather, fully restored Chesterfield bu...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Sofas
Materials
Leather
Howard & Sons club armchairs 19th Century
By Howard and Sons
Located in Stroud, GB
Early large deep seated Howard club armchairs covered in blue and cream H&S ticking standing on English Walnut turned legs and original castors.
Made by Howard & Sons London C.1860
...
Category
Antique 1860s Armchairs
Materials
Beech
$27,504 / set
FINE PAIR OF FULLY RESTORED ANTIQUE HOWARD & SON'S ViCTORIAN PORTARLINGTON SOFAS
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very fine pair of, fully restored Antique Victorian, fully stamped, Howard & Son’s London, large two seat Portarlington...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
$44,006 Sale Price / set
20% Off


