Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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.
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Teak
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Other
lion's mask and cartouche-carved monopodia.
19th Century English Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
1890s English Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
19th Century Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery
19th Century Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century English Howard & Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Hardwood
Howard & Sons Ltd office chairs and desk chairs for sale 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.
- 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.