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.
LARGE RESTORED 1880 ANTIQUE HOWARD & SON'S CHESTERFiELD BROWN LEATHER FOOTSTOOL
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, large, Circa 1880's Hand carved Mahogany, fully restored Chesterfield brown Leath...
Leather, Hardwood
$531
H 14.57 in W 20.48 in D 14.18 in
1960s, Restored Danish Teak Footstool Reupholstered in Black Leather
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Restored Danish teak footstool reupholstered in black leather. Fully restored Danish footstool in minimalistic yet advanced Scandinavia...
Leather, Teak
Vintage Boho Royal Crest Leather Footstool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of storied English heritage to your library or study with this vintage leather footstool. Upholstered in rich, cognac-brown leather, the top is embossed with a faded roya...
Brass
Howard & Sons Crescent Chesterfield Sofa c1850
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Batley, GB
A low and sleek mid 19th century country house crescent shaped chesterfield sofa by Howard & Sons, London c1850. Raised on 6 walnut legs and the original brass casters. Structu...
Brass
$3,948
H 17.72 in W 18.12 in D 29.93 in
Susan Osbourne Gainsborough Footstool in Green Linen, Howard Style
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in London, GB
A contemporary footstool inspired by the Howard & Sons Bridgewater model, upholstered in green linen to pair with the matching armchair. The beech wood frame, hand tied coil spr...
Brass
English Aesthetic Movement Footstool, Leather & Hardwood, Circa 1880
Located in Darien, CT
A handsome English Aesthetic Movement footstool dating to the late 19th century, featuring a richly patinated embossed leather seat and a finely crafted hardwood frame. Carved bullse...
Metal
Antiques X-Base Footstool
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique carved frame bench with criss-cross base and scrolling arms. Upholstered seat and arms, with hand carved embellishments throughout. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Wood
Dark brown chesterfield ottoman in cowhide leather
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this elegant and graceful dark brown Chesterfield footstool made of cowhide leather. A leather footstool, also known as a hocker, turns your already comfortable armch...
Cowhide, Leather
VINTAGE BURGUNDY LEATHER CHESTERFiELD QUEEN ANNE LEGS FOOTSTOOL
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Burgundy Leather Chesterfield Footstool, featuring distinctive Queen Anne legs. This exquisite piece combines classic design with r...
Leather
$14,500
H 33.86 in W 30.71 in D 33.86 in
Antique Howard & Sons Bridgewater Armchair Original Leather, 1880s
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Aachen, NW
Antique and very rare Bridgewater armchair by Howard & Son's original made in England with an amazing patina and the original leather upholstery! The piece was purchased in the late 19th century and was since then owned by the same family! It was originally made with an involved brass book stand...
Leather, Walnut
$5,707 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Dark Brown Leather, Contemporary Style
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-...
Brass, Steel
$5,707 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Footstool Aged Brass Steel and Brown Leather, Contemporary Style
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-...
Steel
$1,656
H 16.15 in W 24.22 in D 15.56 in
VINTAGE RESTORED CHESTERFiELD HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER TUFFED FOOTSTOOL (1/2)
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Gorgeous Vintage Georgian Style Hand Dyed Leather Tufted Footstool. A very good-looking and well-ma...
Leather
Pair of Edwardian Howard & Sons Square Stools
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A fine pair of Edwardian mahogany 'Howard & Sons' square stools. Recently upholstered with Howard ticking. On square tapering legs and brass castors. Stamped on leg and castors. Circ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 14.57 in W 53.94 in D 25.6 in
Rare Howard & Son's Oversized Chesterfield Footstool Ticking Fabric Upholstery
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally fine Howard & Son’s oversized footstool with original ticking fabric A very rare and collectabl...
Upholstery, Mahogany