Skip to main content

Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

British

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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
40
25
24
18
17
Creator: Howard & Sons Ltd
Howard & Sons London Leather Topped Faux Bamboo Writing Table, circa 1875
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Kinderhook, NY
English circa 1875 Aesthetic Movement writing table or desk by London cabinetmakers Howard & Sons having original green leather top; the oval form case with single drawer and origina...
Category

Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Brass

Related Items
English Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany two-drawer leather top writing desk with carved molded edge, original brasses and terminating on chamfered tapered legs, Late 18th century. Desk is finished on all ...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

English Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk, Circa 1780
English Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk, Circa 1780
$12,500
H 28.75 in W 43 in D 22.75 in
Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century
By Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beginning of Mid Century Modern era Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Bodil Kjaer, Executive Writing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, Denmark 1963
By E. Pedersen & Søn, Bodil Kjaer
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. Bodil Kjaer (1932-) is trained as an architect and is known mostly known for her designs in noble woods combined with a modern and sleek chrome base. The most important part of her furniture design career was from 1959-1964. She is mainly recognized for her flexible office furniture, designed in the 1960s. Her design language is greatly inspired by the Modernist masters such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Her furniture has been greatly used in public buildings such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Metal

Rare circa 1880 Antique Howard & Son's Pollard Oak Patner Desk Oxblood Leather
By Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime exceptionally rare circa 1880 Pollard oak partner desk with oxblood leather top made by and fully stamped Howard & Son’s Berners Street What can I say, a 140 year old desk, in one of the best timbers around and made by one of the greatest furniture makers England has ever produced. Howard & Son’s history is extensive, I’ll include a short bio below The desk has the normal partner desk drawer configuration, there are divider slots and some dividers in most drawers, most likely this was a watch makers desk...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Leather, Oak

Antique Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Red Leather Bureau Plat Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer red leather bureau plat writing table desk Additional information: Materials: LacquerLeatherWood Color: Black P...
Category

19th Century Chinoiserie Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Lacquer

English Shaped Top Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Mahogany shaped top partners writing table with satinwood stringing and inlaid fan medallions. Black/green, antiqued and gold tooled leather top. Three drawers each side with antique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood

English Shaped Top Mahogany Writing Table
English Shaped Top Mahogany Writing Table
$11,950 / item
H 31.5 in W 60 in D 36 in
Antique writing desk with inlays and new leather top. Lebanon 1920s.
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional Lebanese desk, beautifully decorated with Oriental Motifs, bone inlay and new leather desk top, good, great old patina.
Category

1910s Lebanese Vintage Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Cedar

Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Hardwood

Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
$2,996 Sale Price
25% Off
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
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 Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
$23,757 Sale Price
30% Off
H 29.73 in W 71.66 in D 47.45 in
English Kidney Shaped Kneehole Writing Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English kidney shaped kneehole writing desk from the Edwardian era, featuring a demi-lune top with original leather writing surface decora...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Crossed Sabre Leg Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Handcrafted for us by a small workshop in England, this writing table embodies the quality and appearance buyers of bespoke English furniture have come to expect over the last 300 ye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

English Crossed Sabre Leg Writing Table
English Crossed Sabre Leg Writing Table
$10,950 / item
H 31 in W 72 in D 40 in
Simply Modern Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern writing table with three singular leather wrapped drawers, our Cardamon finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel en...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Wood

Simply Modern Writing Table
Simply Modern Writing Table
$4,785 / item
H 30 in W 72 in D 31.5 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century English Burl Walnut Howard & Sons Writing Desk
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your study room / workspace with this Exquisite Howard and Sons Burl Walnut Lacquered Writing Desk, a masterpiece of design, craftsmanship, and fine details. The burl walnut wood and gilt bronze floral decorations create a sense of sophistication and luxury that is characteristic of Howard and Sons pieces. The addition of brass handles adds both functionality and classic charm to the design. The desk features a practical layout with five front pull drawers, including two on each side and one in the middle, each adorned with Clarke and Timmins marks on the handles, showcasing the heritage of this piece. The leather top provides a luxurious writing surface, and the four tapered feet with gilt brass hardware ensure both stability and style. Imagine this Howard and Sons Writing Desk...
Category

1870s European Louis XV Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century English Victorian Burr Yew Writing Table
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
A good quality burr yew, tulipwood banded and gilt brass mounted bureau plat by Howard & Sons, remaining in good condition, showing very minor losses and wear commensurate with age a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Yew

Original Howard & Son's Victorian Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Brown Leather Top
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade in England by Howard & Son’s of Berners Street London twin pedestal partner desk with hand dyed brown leather top A very go...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard & Sons Ltd Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Howard & Sons Ltd desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Howard & Sons Ltd 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 Howard & Sons Ltd desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Howard & Sons Ltd were created in the louis xv style in europe during the 19th century. Prices for Howard & Sons Ltd desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $8,975, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,288.
Questions About Howard & Sons Ltd Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, 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, 2022
    To 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.

Recently Viewed

View All