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.
Antique Howard & Sons Upholstered Stool
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Sherborne, GB
English country house upholstered stool made by the esteemed company Howard & Sons in original untouched condition retaining its first used Howard design frabric, with square tapered...
Brass
Antique Hand Carved Needlepoint Textile Upholstered Foot Stool
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Petite Elegant foot stool made hand carved woof wood, upholstered with beautiful floral motif needlepoint textile. Great decorative object of art for any room.
Wool, Wood
Antique Gustavian Hand-Carved Upholstered Stool
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique Gustavian Style Hand-Carved Upholstered Stool. Stool features a neutral tan-colored top with painted and carved wood frame. Stool features elegant neoclassical proportions, h...
Upholstery, Wood
Upholstered Brass Tripod Stools
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered brass tripod stools.
Brass
Ibbit Stool – Modern Handcrafted Upholstered Stool
By Marmar Studio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Highlighting the meeting of two materials, the Ibbit Stool pairs a plush, inviting seat with smooth, tapered legs in playful contrast. This dynamic combination brings both comfort an...
Fabric, Hardwood
Antique English upholstered bench stool window seat
Located in Stroud, GB
Antique Victorian stool covered in Rose Tarlow ticking standing on mahogany legs and period castors. Suitable as a bed-end, window seat or centre stool. Dimensions: H 20″ W 54″ ...
Beech
Handmade Dog Stool Upholstered in Antiqued Brown Leather
Located in Marbella, ES
Handmade Dog Stool Upholstered in Antiqued Brown Leather
Leather
Freddie & Fenella Upholstered Stool
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Meticulously handcrafted in the United Kingdom, this upholstered stool boasts classic studding and hand-polished solid beech legs, showcasing a beautiful tapestry design perfect as a...
Birch
Antique Gustavian Carved Painted and Upholstered Stool
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique Gustavian Style Hand-Carved Upholstered Stool. Stool features a neutral cream-colored top with painted and carved wood frame. Stool features elegant neoclassical proportions,...
Upholstery, Wood
Leather upholstered stool
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved stool, the rectangular upholstered leather deep buttoned seat raised up on four carved cabriole legs terminating in paw feet. The leather has been replaced and hand-dyed. Dime...
Wood
Classic Upholstered Counter Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
This counter stool features a sturdy wooden frame finished in a warm straw wash, providing both durability and a natural, elegant appeal. The seat and backrest are upholstered in Arc...
Wood
French Ebonized & Upholstered Stool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century square piano stool with recent ebonized (painted) finish and reupholstered seat to emphasize the Louis XVI style. The boxy sea...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Pine Stool by K. J. Pettersson & Söner
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pine stool by K. J. Pettersson & Söner, Sweden, Circa 1970s. Solid, glued pine.
Pine
Antique Howard and Sons Upholstered Stool
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Sherborne, GB
English Howard & Sons upholstered stool in completely untouched condition retaining its original H & S monogram ticking, resting on square tapered mahogany legs, one leg stamped Howa...
Upholstery, Mahogany