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Sofas For Sale
Creator: Howard and Sons
Creator: Howard & Sons Ltd
Pair of Howard & sons sofas
Located in Stroud, GB
Pair of rare deco “Bruton” model sofas by Howard and sons covered in salmon H&S monogrammed organic cotton ticking with duck feather and down cushions and stamped castors. Dimension...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Howard & Sons leather club sofa
Located in Stroud, GB
Early Howard and sons leather open arm club sofa covered in hand finished Italian hide with ebonised turned oak legs and uprights, standing on oak turned legs with original H&S stamp...
Category

19th Century English Antique Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown le...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

Fine Important Restored Pair of Antique Howard & Sons Leather Chesterfield Sofas
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare pair of original early Victorian Howard & Son’s Berners street cigar brown leather, fully restored Chesterfield bu...
Category

19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

Restored Antique Howard & Son's Berners Street Chesterfield Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

LOVELY HOWARD & SON'S / CHAIRS LTD TWO SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT CUSHIONs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable Howard & Son's / Howard Chairs LTD sofa with the inside back left leg stamped Please...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Howard & Son's Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield Chesterbed Walnut Framed
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare totally original Victorian Howard & Son’s Chesterfield Chesterbed chaise lounge An amazing find, the chaise has been fully restor...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather, Walnut

FINE PAIR OF FULLY RESTORED ANTIQUE HOWARD & SON'S ViCTORIAN PORTARLINGTON SOFAS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very fine pair of, fully restored Antique Victorian, fully stamped, Howard & Son’s London, large two seat Portarlington...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Fine Victorian Howard & Son's Claw & Ball Feet Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with new Fully Anilin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

Fine 19th Century Ball and Claw Sofa After Howard and Sons
Located in Benington, Herts
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...
Category

1880s English Antique Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Howard & Sons Aesthetic Movement Sofa Claw & Ball Feet Chinoiserie Fabic
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Unrestored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Chesterfield Sofa Inc Ticking Fabric
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer very rare, original Victorian circa 1860 Howard & Son’s Chesterfield sofa with the original ticking fabric I actually have ...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Howard and Sons London 'Grantley' Sofa
Located in Faversham, GB
An exceptional Howard and Sons ‘Grantley’ sofa. This original Grantley H&S model sofa features down-filled outswept armrests that sit at the same height as the back, giving the sofa...
Category

Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Fully Restored Howard & Son's Baring Sofa Grey Herringbone 100% Wool Upholstery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s London, large Baring sofa upholstered with Graham Sanderson Herringbone up...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

COMFORTABLE HOWARD & SON'S VICTORIAN 2-3 SEAT SOFA FOR REUPHOLSTERY RESTORATiON
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Important Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Chesterfield Sofa Inc Ticking Fabric
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale very rare, original Victorian circa 1860 Howard & Son’s Chesterfield sofa with the original ticking fabric and long, ...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Howard & Sons Ticking Fabric Upholstered Double Wingback Sofa Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian Howard & Son’s curved front double wingback sofa full stamped with H&S ticking A truly stunning piece, in sublime condition, these double wingback sofas almost never come up for sale, this is a mid Victorian example with original green Howard & Son’s floral ticking fabric...
Category

19th Century English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Comfortable Howard & Son's Chairs Ltd Ticking Fabric Sofa Feather Fill Cushions
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this collectable Howard & Son’s Chairs LTD sofa with the original ticking fabric and overstuffed feather filled cushions The sofa retains all t...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Antique Howard & Sons Portarlington Large Sofa Original Ticking Upholstery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning exceptionally rare and original Howard & Son's circa 1910-1920 Portarlington three seat large sofa with duvet padded arms and feather and fibr...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Howard & Sons Fully Stamped Sofa Feather Filled Feather Cushions Ticking
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare original Howard & Son’s sofas with the original ticking fabric This has to be the most comfortable sofa I have ever sat on, the back rest is fibre filled so its like a seat cushion for your back, the base cushions is a split panel feather filled cushion, so you have a fibre filled core with feathers on top...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

VINTAGE HOWARD & SON'S LONDON BRIDGEWATER LARGE 5 SEAT CORNER SOFA FLORAL FABRiC
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rare, highly collectable Howard & Son's / Howard Chairs LTD London, c...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1880 HOWARD & SON TWO SEAT SOFA STAMPED READY FOR UPHOLSTERY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, totally original, stamped, Howard & Son's Berners St London two seat sofa with all...
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

ANTiQUE VICTORIAN HOWARD & SON TWO SEAT SOFA FULLY STAMPED READY FOR UPHOLSTERY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Related Items
Fine Victorian Howard & Son's Claw & Ball Feet Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with new Fully Anilin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

A pair of leather Chesterfield style sofas
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This pair of leather sofas were made by expert craftsmen in South America.
Category

2010s South American Chesterfield Sofas

Materials

Leather

STUNNING RESTORED HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER HOWARDS & SON STYLE SOFA PART OF SUiTE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage fully restored hand dyed brown leather Howard & Son’s style three seat sofa with overstu...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Leather

Baudelaire Home Theater Sofa Chaise Lounge by Taylor King
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Taylor King Baudelaire home theater sofa...
Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas

Materials

Cotton

George Smith Howard & Son's Contemporary Velvet Signature Scroll Arm Sofa
Located in Countryside, IL
George Smith Howard & Son's Contemporary Large Velvet Signature Scroll Arm Sofa This sofa measures: 85 wide x 39 deep x 34 inches high, with a sea...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Velvet

Howard & Sons Style Mulberry Designer Sofa Rare Made in Feather Filled
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Rare Mulberry home designer sofa. The colour over the years has faded slightly in some areas. However...
Category

20th Century British Sofas

Materials

Fabric

George Smith English Howard & Sons Signature Leather Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic English Howard & Sons signature sofa hand-crafted by George Smith artisans. The classic signature sofa features a hardwood frame covered with bea...
Category

20th Century English Country Sofas

Materials

Brass

Stunning Vintage English Red Leather Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa
Located in Berlin, DE
3-seat chesterfield sofa with button tufted detail, circa 1970. Exceptional quality. Double hand-stitching, and applied brass nailhead trim details. The ebonized composite orb feet h...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas

Materials

Leather

PAiR OF GEORGE SMITH CHELSEA SIGNATURE SCROLL ARM SOFAS HOWARD & SON'S MODEL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of George Smith Signature Scroll arm sofas with overstuffed feather filled cushions which a...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Sofa, Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Son's, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Sofa, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, manufactured by France & Son's, 1950s. Teak frame with rattan weaved arm rest sides. Reupholstered with quality Nevotex Wooly -...
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas

Materials

Wool, Rattan, Teak

Antique English Tufted Original Leather Chesterfield Sofa Thoroughly Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English Leather Chesterfield Sofa that just emerged out of our inhouse Old Plank Upholstery Department, after a very long and exhausted stay. Restoring or conserving an old leather is truly a dying Art and very few shops today have the knowledge to properly Restore old leather. The Classic English Chesterfield Tufted Leather Sofa was invented in the mid-1700’s when Lord Philip Stanhope (1694-1773), who was the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield decided to commission a comfortable sofa for his guests to sit on. Today, the Classic English Chesterfield Sofa is one of the most recognized and popular sofas in the world and for good reason. The Chesterfield Sofa is both comfortable, great looking and never goes out of style. Our Antique English Leather Chesterfield Sofa is but one of (3) Antique Leather Chesterfield Sofas we have in stock, with each one having gone through a lengthy and laborious Conservation Process. Our Upholstery Department tries to save as much of the Original Leather as possible and generally we save about 75%. The coil springs are re-tied 8-ways by hand and we only use Horsehair, Shredded Coco Fibers, and Wadded Wool for padding. Describing the colour of this Chesterfield may be more difficult than the Conservation process. The colour is neither Black, nor Brown or Cordovan, but rather a rich blend of all three. Lastly, what makes this Antique English Chesterfield Sofa...
Category

1930s English Chesterfield Vintage Sofas

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

Selection of Willy Rizzo sofas available, we can restore, choose your own fabric.
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This iconic sofa was designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969 and is published in many of the interior design journals of the period. This design was illustrated in Casa Vogue's feature on Rizzo's own home in St Tropez,France in their October 1974 issue. The sofa is finished in brown suede. We have a further selection of these Willy Rizzo sofas...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas

Materials

Suede, Wood

Previously Available Items
Super Comfortable Pair of Howard & Son's Lenygon & Morant Ticking Fabric Sofas
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale very rare and original pair of Howard & Son’s Lenygon & Morant sofas with the original ticking fabric. These have to be the most comfortable pa...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Howard and sons antique sofa Beckett model
Located in Stroud, GB
Howard and Sons “beckett” model sofa in original condition standing on french polished tapered legs and original stamped castors. Berners st London circa 1900 Dimensions: H 32″ W...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

A Mid Ninteenth Century Howard & Sons Sofa
Located in London, GB
Raised on four turned walnut legs, with faded velvet upholstery with lightly buttoned back, and original brass gilt lacquered castors.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Sofas

Materials

Brass

A Mid Ninteenth Century Howard & Sons Sofa
A Mid Ninteenth Century Howard & Sons Sofa
H 30.71 in W 94.1 in D 32.29 in
Howard & Sons Grantley Sofa c1900
Located in Batley, GB
A Howard & Sons Grantley sofa. Raised on Howards uniquely hand turned walnut legs all capped with stamped H&S gilt brass cup casters. It's stretcher rail having the original paper la...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Howard & Sons Grantley Sofa c1900
Howard & Sons Grantley Sofa c1900
H 40.16 in W 76.78 in D 32.68 in
19th Century Howard & Sons Chesterfield Chaise Lounge
Located in Batley, GB
A very good quality chaise lounge by Howard & Sons - London. Raised on walnut ring turned legs with the original gilt brass cup casters. Shown here in its original under lining ready...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Early Howard and Sons Sofa, C1840
Located in Batley, GB
A shapely early 19th century Howard & sons sofa. The mahogany frame raised on turned walnut legs to the front with out splayed to the rear and all on Cope & Collinson brass casters. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Early Howard and Sons Sofa, C1840
Early Howard and Sons Sofa, C1840
H 29.93 in W 70.08 in D 35.44 in
Howard & Sons Sofa in Patterned Linen Blend, England, circa 1890
Located in Culver City, CA
Howard & Sons sofa in patterned linen blend. England, circa 1890. Newly upholstered with antique frame in original condition. Measures: 72”L x 30” D x 33” H x 14” seat.
Category

19th Century English Antique Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Large Vintage Howard & Son's Oxblood Leather Fully Stamped Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, lightly restored vintage Oxblood leather Chesterfield Tufted club sofa by Howard & Son's which is fully stamped. This sofa is pre...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Leather

Fine Victorian Howard & Son's Claw & Ball Feet Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with new Fully Aniline cattle hide leather with hand carved Claw & Ball feet This is pretty much the finest sofa ever made, Howard & Son’s are known as simply put the makers of the most comfortable sofas in the world. This is a highly collectable Baring model, it has an extra deep seat that you can comfortably curl your legs up on and then some. The inside back left leg is stamped with the serial numbered Howard & Son's LTD Berners street This sofa has been on a journey of restoration, it came to me with all the fabric removed and ready for reupholstery, the feathers had all sagged and lost their plumpness so the first thing was to have the backs and sides refilled with down feathers, the sofa then went to my French polisher to have the woodwork washed back and traditionally French polished from the ground up, the piece then went back to the upholsterers to be fully upholstered, I have used a very fine Italian Cattle Hide leather, this is fully aniline leather which is upholstered plain, with this type of leather you can see the natural grain and patina of the hide for a more authentic Victorian look, we then had new feather filled seat cushions made and it was off to the leather polishers, to achieve this colour the piece had to be hand dyed six times, antiqued, sealed and then finally waxed down This is the finest quality and condition Howard & Son's sofa for sale anywhere in the world today bar none. Dimensions Height:- 86.5cm Width:- 194.5cm Depth:- 105cm Seat height:- 58.5cm 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 appear to take over the name with the business address being given as 31 Old Burlington St (Lenygon and Morants...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

19th century Howard and Sons Castellane sofa
Located in Malton, GB
This is a very rare antique 19th century Howard and sons sofa. The model is known as a 'Castellane' but this could well be a one off. It has subtle...
Category

19th Century Antique Sofas

Materials

Beech, Mahogany

19th century Howard and Sons Castellane sofa
19th century Howard and Sons Castellane sofa
H 38.59 in W 69.69 in D 37.8 in
HOWARD & SON'S GRAFTON FOUR SEAT SOFA & PAiR OF ARMCHAIRS SUITE VELVET FABRIC
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Howard & Son’s Grafton four seat sofa and matching pair of ...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown leather that has Thomas Chippendale style floating button cushions Please note I have another of these which is in the process of being restored as we speak, it will be upholstered with all new leather and it has the duvet arms and back which are feather filled This is pretty much the finest sofa ever made, Howard & Son’s are known as simply put the makers of the most comfortable sofas in the world. This is a highly collectable baring model, it has an extra deep seat that you can comfortable curl your legs up on and then some. The cushions have oversized floating buttons, they have a fabric stitch pattern to them although they are solid. The inside back left leg is stamped with the serial numbered and the back right leg Howard & Son's LTD Berners street The sofa has been fully restored to including having the base lightly washed back and traditionally French polished, the leather has been totally washed back, hand dyed six times, antiqued, sealed, waxed down and polished, this is the only sofa in the world with this exact colour finish Dimensions Height:- 85.5cm Width:- 196cm Depth:- 108cm Seat height:- 47cm, seat width:- 156cm, seat depth:- 84.5cm 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 appear to take over the name with the business address being given as 31 Old Burlington St (Lenygon and Morants...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas

Materials

Leather

Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs: Find Mario Bellini Sofas, Togo Sofas, Vladimir Kagan Sofas and Other Seating for Sale

Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus. 

The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.

In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness

Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.

With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.

Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.

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