1880s Seating

A beautifully hand-carved walnut 3 seat bench with cane seat.

Just in this 19Th C. English Majolica Faux Tree Stump With Ivy Leaves and Berries attributed to Joseph Holdcroft, garden stool. Beautiful turquoise color to the background and Green ...

This is an absolutely magnificent pair of antique English solid walnut library armchairs, circa 1880 in date. Each with a beautiful hand carved cresting rail, the backs, seats and arms upholstered in sumptuous leather, the arms on spindle supports and on turned front legs terminating in the original brass castors. The brown leather is truly striking and in excellent condition, these armchairs are of a quality that would be very difficult to find today and the solid walnut has wonderful hand carved decoration. Provenance: Barcote Manor, Buckland, Oxfordshire. Barcote Manor was built in 1876 as a hunting lodge for Lady Theodora Guest, a daughter of the Duke of Westminster. In 1881 it was sold to William West...

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...

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...

A stylish Aesthetic Movement ebonized armchair with sweeping side rail incorporating the upholstered armrests which are set back to accommodate those wonderful hoop dresses of the Vi...

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

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...

These graceful chairs were hand-made of golden nordic birch. In need of new fabric, this pair has otherwise aged beautifully. Over a hundred years old, these chairs will last a hundr...

Circa 1880 Large 19thC English olive leather & mahogany wingback armchair Measures: W 83 x D 96 x H 118cm Seat height 49 cm.   

Outstanding 19th century European carved piano or occasional bench seat stool. The rectangular shape with stylized gryphon heads to each post leg top meticulously carved holding a turned support in their mouths. On 4 legs with stretchers terminating in pawed feet. Beautifully detailed carving throughout. Very nice spring bound seat cushion, fabric in very good condition. A wonderful antique bench...

Fantastic pair of Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs curved kidney shaped sofas. Sofas retain their original upholstery in not bad condition but we would recommend they get new upho...

An extremely fine 19th Century Ball and Claw Down Feather Sofa after the Ramsden ball and claw model by Howard and Sons English circa 1880-1900 Wonderf...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique Victorian hand carved Library reading armchair with Lion’s Hairy paw feet A very comfortable and well made piece, this chair...

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 lovely original Victorian hand carved Claw & Ball Cabriolet legged stool based on a George III design A very decorative and well made piece, the top has a period Victorian embroidery...

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...

Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880 Superbe ensemble de mobilier de salon en bois patiné, finement sculpté de masques grotesques, comprenant : Un canapé Une paire de fau...

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...

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

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

Antique Baroque carved walnut throne chair, circa 1880. The chair having a carved crest with a shell motif to the center flanked by a pair of fi...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed Regency Green leather Victorian Chesterfield footstool Pl...

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare and super collectable Antique Victorian George Hepplewhite Wheatgrass revolving captains chair which has been fully restore...

Safari / folding military campaign chair. United Kingdom, Arts & Crafts, Victorian Era, Circa 1880 Beech structure. Beautiful original fabric, in goo...

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...

This elegant salon chair has been painted with black laquer and decorated with gold painted ornaments. The height of the seat is 40cm.

Jugendstil walnut Jugendstil armchair designed by Josef Maria Olbrich 1898-1899 and executed by Michael Niedermoser, Vienna. The beautiful armchair...

Rustic wooden stool from the 1880s. Stools has a great patina.

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, totally original, full stamped, Howard & Son's Berners St London two seat sofa wit...

Superb and rare Napoleon iiistyle living room in Aubusson tapestry including six armcahairs and a sofa the sofa depicts a picnic scene from this period where the children play and d...

Bentwood daybed no.2 by Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.

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 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...

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 ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian J Foot & Son easy armchair in fully restored condition with hand dyed brown...

This set of eight mahogany dining chairs from England includes six side chairs and two armchairs, each featuring a textured cross-back design and upholstered seats. The chairs' refin...

Each painted in a cream white with a matt finish. Square back and bowed seat. Turned arms reminiscent of barrels. Circular tapered legs. Upholstered in orange velvet. Ex Luther Antiq...

This horn chair came from Texas and was made for the Glantz Ranch between 1880 and 1900. The piece was inherited by Ruth Glantz around 1920 and purchased from her daughter by Fred an...

Late Victorian Lounge Chair, England circa 1880 Howard Style Ebonized wood feet with original casters William and Morris fabric England, circa 1880 ...

A French vine form cast iron bench ends now fitted and painted faux bois. Iron is, circa 1880.

A sofa in the Louis Philippe style, circa 1880. The frame of the sofa is made in walnut wood, with the strikingly profiled backrest in the shape of a heart. The sofa has a spring s...

A Large Pair of French 19th century Louis XIV Style rectangular stools Four baluster feet very finely carved with acanthus leaves, arabesques, and gadroons joined by a strecher Circa...

This is a lovely French Classic Os De Mouton Arm Chair that was created early 1900's or before. Antique French Louis XIII armchairs were handcrafted of walnut wood from Carcassonne F...

Pair of 1880s French provincial hand carved side chairs.

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable Howard & Son's Berners Street sofa with the inside back left leg stamped along with t...

An unusual 19th century relining dark oak Childs chair. American, circa 1880. The back with an iron bar that allows the back to recline in an adjustab...

Antique child's maple rocker with arms marked "Shakers No 1 Trademark Mt. Lebanon NY." It retains it original dark walnut color varnish and rush seat. Nic...

✨ Antique Thonet Bentwood Chair – Model 19 "Angel Chair" ✨ 🪑 Rare & Elegant Thonet Design This original Thonet Model 19, also known as ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare suite of lightly restored Victorian Chesterfield green Heritage leather dining chairs with ma...

Circa C19th upholstered English armchair with turned legs and ceramic castors. This understated buttoned back armchair has been upholstered in a slightly coarse off white vintage fre...

We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of original circa 1860-1880 English William Morris style wingback armchairs with grey linen summer cushions A good looking and well-m...

delighted to offer for sale this stunning original hand made in England circa 1860-1880 Throne armchair with hand carved Lions Head finials and green leather upholstery Please note...

Superb set of 4 important Asian armchairs in carved Chinese mahogany wood (toona sinensis). Carved with plant and animal motifs: 3 sculpted bats (symbols of good fortune, happiness ...

Antique quality pair of oak, hall, side or bedroom chairs C1880, 19th century. Simple rare design. Solid and heavy with no loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and...

You are viewing a gorgeous hand carved Italian Renaissance oak bench Just look at the details to the carving, I hope the photos go some way in illustrating the quality Characterful c...

19th Century French Louis XIV Walnut Armchair with Needlepoint Tapestry is a remarkable example of sculpture that also happens to be a comfortable chair! Hand-carved from select French blonde...

A pair of slipper chairs, vintage upholstery in garnet red velvet in very good condition. These chairs feature low, curved backs with rolled tops, accented by vertical channel stitch...

A pair of Louis XVI style fauteuils with fabulous water gilding and exceptional upholstery.

- Attractive armchair injecting period character into any interior - Sturdy and suitable for regular use - This model of chair was made in plentiful numbers in the mid-17th century...