1880s Seating

Constructed cleverly using old elements with good rich brown patina. Rectangular single board seat and conforming carved frieze supported on six turned legs joined by box stretchers.

A set of four ‘Latonda’ chairs, 1987 Tubular metal structure with seat in orange stretched leather. Made by Alias, Italy. Sticky label ‘Alias Italy’ on the metal structure underne...

Pair of quality antique carved walnut hall chairs by Simpson and Sons, Halifax having a wonderful shaped swan neck top with a quality carved sunflower to the centre splat supported b...

Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Oak Chair, Swiss circa 1880. Re-upholstered in beautiful hand block printed fabric decorated with pheasan...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed brown leather upholstered Henry II circa 1880 dining ch...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six original Gothic revival English oak Victorian dining chairs circa 1880 Please note...

A refined, hand carved mahogany armchair of the Aesthetic Movement with a seat upholstered in green suede. Elements of the chair’s design anticipate the near future Jugendstil and Ar...

A wonderful original antique Victorian leather metamorphic gout stool. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1880’s period. It has a clever ratchet design, enabling it ...

Swiss alp pair of armchairs

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Victorian circa 1880 hand carved walnut Cabriolet legged footstool with floral embroidered upholstery A very decorative and well made piece, the top has a period Victorian embroidery...

Antique French Louis XV style Upholstered Bergere Chair Hand-Made in France during the late 1800's from Solid Walnut. The seat cushion is down filled and the seat back is padded with...

We are  delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period upho...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this museum quality, fully restored, hand dyed Cigar Brown leather Cornelius V Smith, Walnut & Satinwood captain's or directors armchair Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. This chair is a good looking and well made original Victorian example, circa 1885, the frame is Walnut with Satinwood and Boxwood inlay, the leather is period, the seat platform is webbed and coil sprung, the chair rotates, this is one of the first swivel armchair models ever made so its quite privative by todays standards but in the Victorian era this was quite a novelty Condition wise, as mentioned this chair has been restored from the ground up, the leather upholstery has been washed back, hand dyed six times, antiqued, sealed waxed down and polish, tall the wood work has been deep cleaned and lightly French polished The base is stamped four times on each leg CVS for CORNELIUS V SMITH, below is a brief history of the great man and some of his work Dimensions: Height:- 92cm Width:- 55cm Depth:- 60cm Seat height:- 47cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. Smith, Cornelius V. London; wholesale cabinet maker, upholsterer and frame maker (fl.1885-1891) Cornelius Smith was born in 1847 in Mile End, his father, George, a wine merchant. By 1885 is was recorded with showrooms and an upholstery workshop in Marshall’s Yard, Henry Street (sometimes Seaton Street), Hampstead Road and a frame making workshop in Charles Place, Drummond Street. He had the telegraphic address of ‘Cornelius, London’ [The Furniture Gazette, 1 December 1885]. When the lease on the Marshall Yard workshop expired in 1886 he moved to larger and more convenient premises at 64 Osnaburgh Street, with the entrance in Wybert Street, Munster Square, close to Portland Road Metropolitan Railway Station [The Furniture Gazette, 1 October 1886]. From 1887-9 his address was recorded as Vincent Works, 64 Osnaburgh Street and Wybert Street, Munster Square, London. Smith advertised in The Furniture Gazette from1 March 1886-1 March 1889, with some advertisements illustrated. One such article, published on 15 April 1891, described Smith as ‘the well known upholsterering manufacturer and art furniture maker, [who] in person is of middle height. He is a thorough man of business, and has a very pleasant manner. He has built up a reputation of which any man might be proud, and his business is one of the largest in the trade. His manager, Mr. T. E. Green, is equally well-known for his business tact and geniality of manner’. Smith’s specialised in stuffed-over chairs & couches, made with the use of every contemporary devise and of comfort, convenience and elegance. For example the 'Iddesleigh' settee, named after the Earl of Iddesleigh (late Sir Stafford Northcote), which was spring-stuffed, in saddle bags and covered in Utrecht or Genoa velvet. Another novelty was the 'Newlands' suite, the frames of mahogany or rosewood inlaid with suitable ornament, covered in fashionable silk velvet. Among the range of fancy chairs was the 'Minnie Palmer' with an elegant light frame inlaid with marquetry; the 'Irving' chair made in inlaid mahogany; the 'Mexican' lounge (settee) and the 'Randolph' corner chair. Smith’s workmanship and finish was highly praised [The Furniture Gazette, 1 August 1885; editorial and advertisement]. The Furniture Gazette, 1 February 1887, described the Osnaburgh premises, which had a depth of 250 ft. The front showroom displayed every type of cabinet made of walnut, rosewood or other choice woods, and inlaid with marquetry. Behind the showroom were the general counting office and the offices of Mr Smith and the manager. Then the individual workshops for cabinet makers, fitters, upholsterers, women sewers and French polishers. There were storerooms on the ground floor and upstairs more workshops. The main showroom displayed drawing and dining room suites, fancy chairs, stuffed-over goods, lounging and patent spring easy chairs, and fancy card and five o’clock tea tables. In adjoining buildings were the packing premises and time-keeper’s office. The 'Oscar' suite of armchairs and settee was illustrated in The Furniture Gazette, 1 February 1889, as was Smith’s patent ottoman box...

A commanding mahogany Victorian country house sofa in the manner of Howard and Sons. Featuring a wide, deep sprung seat with a stepped backrest and six large handmade duck feather c...

H W Batley attributed. An Anglo-Japanese settee with Japanese fretwork below the backrest and the arms, the arms with pagoda shaped details. Blue velvet uph...

We are delighted to offer this stunning exceptionally rare and restored Howard & Son's circa 1880 Chaise Lounge with hand carved walnut frame This is the first chaise in this mod...

Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with original rush seat and retaining the rush seat side panels. This chair has been totally ...

An innovative cabinet maker, George Hunzinger was born in Tuttlingen, Germany, to a family of furniture makers dating back to the 17th century. After immigrating to America he establ...

This 19th-century English leather buttoned daybed exudes an air of historic elegance with its deep chestnut brown leather, beautifully aged to showcase a rich patina. The daybed feat...

Antique German Corner Chair, Circa 1880 – Hand-Carved Walnut with Cane Seat A refined example of late 19th-century German craftsmanship, this antique corner chair...

Liberty and Co attributed, style of a Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms, the arms follow through to the sid...

Antique French settee or loveseat deconstructed and probably made in the late 1800's. When you take a hard look at the lion paw feet, you'll noti...

19th century Ranch House or farm house plank seat bench found on a porch in Texas.This bench is thick and very sturdy.

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare and original Howard & Son's circa 1880 two seat sofa with duvet feather padded arms and seat cushions, with Aesthetic movement ebonised frame and Claw & Ball feet in the original Chinese Chinoiserie upholstery. I have a large collection of very fine restored and original unrestored Howard & Son's seating listed under my other items. This is simply put the most comfortable sofa in the world, the arms back and base are all feather and fibre filled, you sink when seated in a similar manner to a very plump feather filled duvet. The upholstery is super rare original Victorian, heavily distressed, its Chinese Chinoiserie and has wonderful colours. The frame is period Victorian, it is the only Aesthetic movement ebonised frame I have seen and one of very few Claw & Ball examples as well. Howard & Sons are simply put are the finest sofa and armchair makers in history, the Queen even had a private collection. This piece is totally original and unrestored, it will only every be original once, as such I have left it as it is for the new owner to decide what to do with it, I can help with full restoration should the new owner wish. To confirm though, as you can see the upholstery is very distressed, the frame is structurally solid and does not require any repairs Dimensions Height:- 74cm Width:- 137cm Depth:- 77cm Seat height:- 44.5cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point. A History of Howard and Sons The name of Howard and Sons is probably one of the best known and highly sought-after names in Upholstered furniture. Over the next few paragraphs, I will do my best to give you a brief history of the company. The company was started by John Howard in 1820 trading from 24 Leman St, London as a Cabinet Maker. Over the next 25 years they would make several changes of premises within the Whitechapel area. First to 27 Great Alie St (Now just Alie St) before moving a short distance to 34 Great Alie St. In 1844 the company made its first venture into upholstered furniture by opening a showroom/workshop at 36 Red lion St. This was also to be a big move towards what would be their next and most famous location. In 1848 they moved to a new address much more accustomed with the name; Berners St. London as “Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Decorator” under the name John Howard and Sons. The business seemed to boom at this location with workshops opening up at Tottenham St, Charlotte Mews and Fitzroy Sq and an expansion to a second Berners St building in 1853. In 1869 the company consolidated its many workshops into the one building on Cleveland St. By 1872 the company was occupying 25, 26 and 27 Berners St. These adresses would remain unchanged until 1935. During this period they became a limited company in 1899 and won the first of their Royal warrants in 1901. In 1935 the the well-established decorators Lenygon and Morant...

Signed American Eastlake upholstered chaise with an ebonized and reeded maple frame resting on four turned legs fitted with cast brass cup casters. Both sides of the bolster are fitt...

Beautiful Unique Victorian Stool . Very well Hand carved Lions heads . Superb patine . 19 Century Holland . Good condition . The upholstery is in ...

Gorgeous pair of Victorian arm chairs with distinctive balloon backs Circa 1880 on this classic pair of Victorian saloon chairs Would be a his and...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare suite of mid Victorian throne dining chairs based on early Jacobean designs with hand painted lea...

An authentic and beautifully aged Swedish “Allmoge” (Folk Art) chair, dating from circa 1880. Crafted in solid pine, this chair exemplifies the rustic simplicity and practical elegan...

A pair of 19th century carved mahogany side chairs in the Chippendale style, superb quality and lovely dense timber, the carved and shaped back of unique design, the seat having been...

19th century Edwardian style mahogany wood framed upholstered settee or sofa. The settee / sofa is in great antique condition. Signed and date...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of his & her’s fully restored Wingback armchairs in hand dyed brown leather and finished ...

This is a fantastic and highly decorative antique pair of French gilt bronze mounted Empire Revival fauteuil chairs, circa 1880 in date. They have been crafted from fabulous solid m...

We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of Victorian circa 1880 military campaign style folding chairs A very good looking and highly collectable pair of desk steame...

A superb set of six antique Victorian oak masonic dining chairs. They were made in England, and date from around the 1880-1900 period. They are of superb quality and have an extreme...

Circa 1880 Pair 19thC English Pine Chapel Benches in original finish Price per pair (vat qualifying ) Measures: W 184 x D 31 x H 77 cm Seat height 43...

Pair of regency style stools ,gilded wood, one of the most beautiful models of the regency elegant and refined ,cushions on the top decorated with pom-poms the quality and the workma...

A large Victorian late 19th century Library chair, newly re upholstered in Velvet. The new fabric copying the original fabric design on the ...

A pair of late 19th century walnut Klismos chairs with turned front legs splayed back legs and curved backrests. Made in England in the 1880s.

the open cartouche-shaped back with elaborately carved vasiform splat profusely carved with rocaille, C-scrolls and floral motifs above a drop-in seat with mohair upholstery; flanked...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Victorian hand dyed cigar brown leather serpentine...

A lovely 1880s round carved wooden footstool with brass. Upholstered in 1970s silk Scalamandré animal print fabric.

19th century giltwood chairs with elegant tall back New upholstery in designer fabric in a gold hue Frames have original gilding and the...

Rustic Hand Made Thatched Seat Chair, France, Rhone Alps Region Beautiful grain & Patina Seat h: 13-13.5 in.

We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, Victorian circa 1880 fully restored Chesterfield Whisky brown leather Library suite. A very rare find, I never come across original sets of four pieces from this era and especially not the fully buttoned sets. We have restored the suite and it is in better than retail new condition throughout. The set is actually quite rare size wise, the armchairs are much wider than normal and happy accommodate the larger of us, the sofa is a real sweet heart size and looks amazing. This is the finest set of this type you will find anywhere, its true library set...

A good pair of XIX Century Chinese yoke back elm scholars chairs of great colour and patina. Qing Dynasty.

This is a superb antique late 19th Century walnut revolving desk chair, circa 1880 in date. It is made of high quality solid solid walnut with a beautiful and decorative slatted ca...

We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, exceptionally rare, fully restored, Victorian circa 1880 Jacobean Revival, Chesterfield tufted, Whisky brown leather suite with hand carved Lion detailing This suite has been on a journey, it was purchased from an antiques dealer in Belgium...

Unusual antique Victorian carved mahogany armchair having the most magnificent carved, pierced mahogany shaped top and two carved pierced maho...

Impressive rare pair of throne chairs in perfect Italian Renaissance style, late 19th century. Made of solid walnut wood. The finely carved wooden backrest with very complex decorati...

Really lovely faux painting on this pine bench that has ample storage underneath the seat. Bought in England. Great for a mudroom or hallway. Measure: arm height 35.5. #5630

Explore our pretty French Restauration Armchair, crafted circa 1870-80. Adorned with intricate carvings, this armchair is constructed from luxurious Mahogany wood and features a styl...

This is a set of 4 antique dining chairs. A Scottish, carved oak seat in Gothic revival taste, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. Fascinating country house dining chairs, w...

We delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed pressed brown leather upholstered Henry II circa 1880 dining chairs with crocodile leather embossed seat pads A very rare and totally original set of Victorian dining chairs...

French Pair of Napoleon III, circa 1880. Black painting with gilded vegetal motifs Antique, late 19th century. It can be recovered with the fabric of your choice to suit your inte...

Set of six dining chairs and extra one chair in baroque style, manufacturing in Germany, circa 1880.  

This is a very, very rare size of bergere chairs! These chairs are only 32 tall x 24 wide x 23 deep and have a normal seat height of 19 inches. They are perfect for a bedroom or boud...

Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat made from stained Beech with turned and rounded finials and tramline details to the back headrest...

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed pressed brown leather upholster Henry II circa 1880 dining chairs with bronze dolphin handles A very rare and totally original set of Victorian dining chairs...

Swiss alp, folk art , escabelle.