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.
Pair Antique English Aesthetic Movement X Frame Stretcher Hall Side Chairs
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique English Aesthetic movement X frame stretcher side chairs. Attributed to Holland & Sons, each with a rosewood moulded frame with scrolled uprights, chamfered supp...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Gothic Revival Pair of Chairs by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Haywards Heath England, GB
Gothic Revival pair of mahogany chairs Original leather seats Brass Castors Egyptianesque design and ebony detailing Circa 1870 Holland & Sons
Brass
$2,895 / set
H 34.75 in W 17.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870
By Charles Bevan, Bruce James Talbert
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly detailed pair of English Gothic Revival walnut side chairs, dating to around 1870, distinguished by their intricately carved tracery backs, architectural arcade motifs, and ...
Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut
$1,800
H 52.5 in W 21.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century French Gothic Revival Oak Ecclesiastical Church Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, this striking antique oak chair reflects the Gothic Revival style through its architectural silhouette and ecclesiastical purpose. The tall pierced back...
Oak
$3,800 / set
H 37 in W 22.5 in D 15.5 in
Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Gilt Wood Side Chairs with Cane Seats C. 1880
By D. G. Fischell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning set of four Aesthetic Movement side chairs, dating to circa 1880 and attributed to D.G. Fischel & Söhne. These elegant chairs exemplify the refined craftsmanship and artis...
Cane, Bentwood, Giltwood
$3,800
H 33 in W 16 in D 18 in
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895
By George Hunzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895 Dimensions: 33" H × 16" W × 18" D Seat Height: 16" This rare and sculpturally articulated American side ...
Walnut, Leather
19th Century Pair of Gothic Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
19th century pair of English armchairs in the gothic manner. They have wonderfully carved frames and are newly upholstered in linen with a double welt decoration. Seat measures 18.25...
Linen, Oak
Gothic Revival Accent Chair, Brown Wood & Fabric, Antique, 1880s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown wood, Gothic Revival-style accent chair, dating to the 1880s and made in France. The wood frame is finished in fabric, combining structural presence with tactile comfort. Got...
Fabric, Wood
E.W. Godwin Attributed Aesthetic Movement Side Chair
By Edward William Godwin
Located in Sharon, CT
Offering a lightweight mahogany Anglo-Japanese side chair with many Godwin characteristics, and probably executed by William Watt circa 1877. Hand caned seat. Weight about 7 lbs.
Mahogany
1910s Pair of Neo-Gothic Oak Chairs with Turned Legs
Located in Marbella, ES
An elegant pair of Neo-Gothic style chairs crafted from solid oak in the late 19th or early 20th century. They are distinguished by their tall, architectural backrests featuring poin...
Wood
$4,639 / set
H 34.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows Set of 6 English Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Made by Gillows of Lancaster and London. A good quality set of six oak dining chairs with an upper and lower row of turnings and carved details above. As you can see...
Oak
$2,606 / set
H 34.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
A W N Pugin, Stamped Gillows, a Set of Four Gothic Revival Oak Dining Chairs
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin, made by Gillows of Lancaster. Stamped Gillows to the back legs. A set of four Gothic Revival oak dining chairs. Measures: Height 34 1/2 inches. x width 17 inches. x d...
Oak
Early Gothic Revival Solid Rosewood Nursing Chair
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early Gothic Revival Solid Rosewood Nursing Chair - with Shell Crest, Twist Column and X-Stretcher - 22"w x 20.5"d x 45.5"h (17"h to the seat)
Rosewood
$3,750
H 35.5 in W 18.5 in D 16 in
English 1880s Aesthetic Movement Carved Oak Chair with Zebra Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This English Aesthetic Movement accent chair from the 1880s is a stunning example of craftsmanship and decorative detail. Made of bleached oak, this chair highlights intricate carvin...
Zebra Hide, Oak
English Aesthetic Movement Chair by Lamb of Manchester
By Lamb of Manchester
Located in London, GB
An aesthetic movement chair By Lamb of Manchester designed by W.J. Estall Of unique elegance and design, the black ebonised chair fashioned in the...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,178Sale Price|19% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 13.39 in
Aesthetic Movement Side Chair in Walnut by E.W. Godwin, circa 1885
By Goodwin
Located in Faversham, GB
Aesthetic Movement walnut and rush seated chair by E.W. Godwin for William Smee & Son, London. Turned spindle and dowel back with legs united by six-shaped ...
Walnut, Bamboo, Cane, Rush
$3,840
H 33 in W 23.5 in D 21 in
Richard Charles Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Elbow Chair with X Frame stretcher
By Richard Charles
Located in London, GB
Richard Charles (1823-93), an Aesthetic Movement ebonized elbow chair, circa 1866, with ball finials, a ladder back, later leather seat, gilt highlights and X-frame base with X-frame...
Wood
Set of Four Holland & Sons Dining Chairs
By Holland & Sons
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fine quality set of four 19th century dining chairs by Holland & Sons. These wonderful chairs feature square buttoned backs and generous seats, which have been reupholstered in an...
Leather, Wood