Holland & Sons Desks
British
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.
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Creator: Holland & Sons
Substantial 19th Century Figured Burr Walnut Partners' Desk by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Substantial Walnut Partners' Desk
By Holland & Sons
A fully fitted partners desk with identical arrangements to both sides, constructed using finely figured walnut and with a tool...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Holland & Sons Desks
Materials
Leather, Walnut
English Mahogany and Ormolu Partners Desk with Red Leather, 19th Century
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Partners Library Desk by Holland & Sons
Constructed in mahogany and having splendid gilt bronze accents. Of freestanding pedestal form, rising from plinth bases, dress...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Holland & Sons Desks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Holland & Sons Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Holland & Sons Desks
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$23,757 Sale Price
30% Off
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Bodil Kjaer, Executive Writing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, Denmark 1963
By Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & Søn
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Early and rare edition of Bodil Kjaer freestanding executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Metal frame in very good condition. Four keys included.
Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark.
An identical desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts.
Literature: Mobilia, June 1961.
This freestanding desk can be used with multiple purposes, as a writing table, desk or just 'work table', as Bodil Kjaer herself called it. According to Bodil Kjaer the idea of the table is, "that it should be suitable with modern art and architecture." The table is part of a larger series of elements of architecture in 1959, with the intention to build flexible working environments. This piece shows an interesting rhythm of horizontal and vertical lines, as do most of Kjaer's designs. The front is divided into four drawers. (Can be locked with its original Keys) The back has the same in inward gap yet without the drawers, yet this aesthetic choice unites the back and front and turns it into a monumental, architectural piece. The handles are all executed with a whole in the middle for functionality. The table's rise to fame was helped by its appearance in James Bond - From Russia with Love.
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19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
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English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
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English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century
Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk.
Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
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Rare circa 1880 Antique Howard & Son's Pollard Oak Patner Desk Oxblood Leather
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Previously Available Items
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 POLLARD OAK BROWN LEATHER TOP WRiTING LIBRARY TABLE DESK
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Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality Victorian solid mahogany pedestal desk by Holland & Sons. The top of the desk has a green leather hide insert, with decorative gold tooling. Below this there are three drawers, the centre of which being stamped "Holland & Sons". The top of the desk fits onto two pedestals, each with three drawers. All of the drawers have turned handles, though these are a later replacement. All of the drawer linings are solid mahogany. The desk is complete with all of its original locks, and is in very good condition having been restored and re-polished.
Measures: Width 48", depth 26", height 29"
Holland & Sons were extremely good cabinet makers and they specialized in fine quality furniture. This is why such pieces are so well collected today as if you buy antique furniture...
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Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Victorian Antique Holland & Sons Desks
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Mahogany
Holland & Sons desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Holland & Sons desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Holland & Sons desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Holland & Sons were created in the Victorian style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by and Gillows of Lancaster & London. Prices for Holland & Sons desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $15,544 and can go as high as $92,906, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $33,441.
Questions About Holland & Sons Desks
- What is Gouda Holland pottery?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Gouda Holland pottery is a type of pottery produced in the Netherlands during the early 20th century. It shares a name with the city from where it originated. Typically, Gouda pottery shows off colorful, ornate designs inspired by Art Deco and Art Nouveau designs. Shop a collection of Gouda pottery on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- Is Wm Rogers & Son real silver?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Yes, Wm Rogers & Son is real silver. However, most pieces aren't solid silver. The silversmith worked predominantly in silver plate, which is a base metal finished with a thin layer of genuine silver. Shop a selection of Wm Rogers & Sons silver wares 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.