One of the most influential and successful British furniture manufacturers of the Victorian era, Holland & Sons was renowned for its superb quality. It would be difficult to find collectors unfamiliar with Holland — or its rival, Gillows of Lancaster and London — as the company was a leader in neoclassical and Gothic furniture and interior design in the early to mid-1800s, using only the richest of hardwoods and the finest of metals. Antique Holland & Sons chairs, storage cabinets and tables frequently featured rare-specimen wood marquetry and engraved ivory inlays. The manufacturer’s designs grace the collections of museums around the world and can still be found in the royal homes of Europe.
Two cabinetmakers, Stephen Taprell and William Holland, opened a small joinery in 1815 near Buckingham Palace in London, England, and named it Taprell & Holland. Holland was a relative of the acclaimed Regency architect Henry Holland, the famous gardener and landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown, and the former Member of Parliament Richard Bateman-Robson. This familial edge provided the needed influence for the company among the aristocracy, and their business saw immediate prosperity.
The firm traded under the name Taprell, Holland & Son for a period, and when Taprell retired in 1843, Holland took over the company and changed the name to Holland & Sons. Holland decided to diversify and began offering a broad range of services to the very wealthy — arranging furniture and household decoration rentals, managing funerals and even providing plumbing services. By 1851, they employed over 350 people.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned Holland & Sons to supply the entire furnishings of their private homes — Osborne House, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House and Marlborough House. The Monarch’s satisfaction with Holland and Son’s furnishings led to the company being granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment, affording the owners the opportunity to display the coveted “By Appointment of HM The Queen” mark and her Coat of Arms above the entrance to their offices.
Other Holland & Sons furniture commissions of note include the London Union Club, the Athenaeum Hotel in London, Arundel Castle in West Essex and the All Souls College in Oxford. The firm was also involved in the funerals of Prince Albert and the mother of Queen Victoria — both in 1861 — and contributed works to the 1901 coronation of Edward VII when they made the throne for his wife, Queen Alexandra.
On 1stDibs, find antique Holland & Sons tables, cabinets, seating and more.
Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
By Holland & Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning rare and original early Victorian Holland and Son’s mahogany double sided library table or ...
Leather, Hardwood
Stunning 19th Century Mahogany Partners Desk Stamped by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 19th-century mahogany partners desk by Holland & Sons. Nine drawers on one side and two cupboards on the other. The top is fitted with a newly tooled light burgundy leathe...
Mahogany
Victorian Birch or Satinwood Writing Table, Attributed to Holland and Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian birch or satinwood writing table, attributed to Holland and Sons, the leather-inset top with moulded edges above a disguised single frieze drawer, the end supports compri...
Ceramic, Leather, Birch, Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
Small Victorian Oak and Ebony Partner’s Desk, Attributed to Holland and Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A small Victorian oak and ebony partner’s desk, attributed to Holland and Son, the shaped rectangular leather-inset top set above a knee-hole with a...
Ebony, Oak
Early Victorian Rosewood Writing Table by Holland and Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
The rectangular gilt tooled leather inset top above two short frieze drawers, on fluted ring-turned baluster twin columnar end supports, terminating in recessed castors, one drawer s...
Rosewood
$10,000 / item
H 30 in W 42 in D 17.5 in
Agnes Desk or Writing Table Made from Reclaimed Pine (custom)
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom desk or writing table is made from reclaimed pine with one large drawer that can be pulled out from either side. The table shown here is 17.5" x 42" but the price applies...
Reclaimed Wood
Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table with Mahogany Lined Drawer, Octagonal End Supports, and Blind Castors to the Bun Feet 56"w x 28"d x ...
Rosewood
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with new inset brown leather and cross banded edge over a frieze containing one long drawer , raised on circular tapered reeded legs ending on brass casters. P...
Leather, Rosewood
Chippendale Revival Mahogany Serpentine Partner’s Desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
A finely crafted Chippendale Revival partner’s desk in rich mahogany, distinguished by its serpentine outline and elaborate carved ornamentation. The moulded edge encloses a gilt-too...
Wood
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk or Writing Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and simply designed teak desk from Scandinavia circa 1970's. It features teak construction with finished back. Clean & ready to use condition. No drawer keys present but ...
Teak
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Fruitwood
19th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Partner’s Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century pine partner’s desk with a newer black painted finish, gently distressed to reveal natural pine beneath and suit the age and character of the piece. Designed for use fro...
Pine, Paint
Antique Victorian Satinwood Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique Victorian satin wood writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1840-1860 period. It is of outstanding quality, with gorgeous satin...
Leather, Satinwood
$5,500
H 31.5 in W 42 in D 60 in
19th Century Oak Partners Desk, Leather Writing Surface, Brass Hardware
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful probably, 19th century oak partners desk, with a leather writing surface. Each side has a bank of drawers and a cupboard door for serious storage, or you can put both ban...
Oak
$4,964
H 27.56 in W 45.28 in D 17.72 in
Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/Czechoslovakia/Austria, circa ...
Chrome
Antique Victorian Leather Top Partners Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A large and very impressive antique Victorian partners desk / writing table. This was made in England, it dates from around 1830-1850. It is of superb quality and is a great size, t...
Leather, Wood
$3,800
H 31 in W 62 in D 38 in
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style Antique Desk Brass Pulls Table Mint
By Baker Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style antique desk brass pulls table mint.
Brass
Nineteenth Century English Oak Library Table by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Nineteenth century Holland & Sons library table, circa 1830s, oak with gilt-tooled leather skiver, raised on lambrequin carved turned and tapered legs, with brass castors. Dimensi...
Oak
A George IV Century Holland and Sons Writing Table
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, England
A very fine mahogany writing table on four masculine legs, terminating in cope castors with two drawers above, deep rich timber top with stamp. England, 1820 H 80 x W 122 x D 57 cm...
Brass
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Table by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian leather top writing table / desk in burr walnut. This was made in England by Holland & Sons, it dates from around 1860-1880. The quality is outstanding, t...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 29.73 in W 47.64 in D 31.11 in
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 POLLARD OAK BROWN LEATHER TOP WRiTING LIBRARY TABLE DESK
By Holland & Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning rare and original Circa 1840 Pollard Oak Library writing table or desk with Chestnut Brown lea...
Leather, Oak
Victorian Library Table by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in New Orleans, LA
This handsome library table is a remarkable example of the English furnishings that represented wealthy Victorian tastes. The piece is attributed to Holland & Sons, a firm regarded as one of the most important cabinetmakers of the era. Crafted of rich mahogany with gilt brass mounts and a tooled leather writing surface, this table characterizes the superb craftsmanship of Holland & Sons and exudes Victorian elegance. The well-known British cabinetmaking firm of Holland & Sons was considered the top of their class in their day. Found in 1803 by William Holland...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.94 in W 40.75 in D 22.45 in
English Regency Mahogany Library Writing Table by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine English regency mahogany library writing table by Holland & Sons, the top with a moulded edge above a pair of frieze drawers, raised on tapered end supports carved with A...
Ebony, Mahogany
Mid-Victorian Free-Standing Walnut Writing Table by Holland and Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A mid-Victorian free-standing walnut writing table by Holland and Sons, the rectangular top with two frieze drawers, raised on turned, tapering cylindrical legs, with the original kn...
Walnut
Handsome Oak Writing Desk, England, circa 1870
By Holland & Sons
Located in Culver City, CA
Handsome Oak Writing Desk, circa 1870 Sturdy construction with brass hardware and ornate detailing throughout. Made by Holland & Sons, London.
Brass