One of the most influential and successful British furniture manufacturers of the Victorian era, Holland & Sons was renowned for its superb quality. It would be difficult to find collectors unfamiliar with Holland — or its rival, Gillows of Lancaster and London — as the company was a leader in neoclassical and Gothic furniture and interior design in the early to mid-1800s, using only the richest of hardwoods and the finest of metals. Antique Holland & Sons chairs, storage cabinets and tables frequently featured rare-specimen wood marquetry and engraved ivory inlays. The manufacturer’s designs grace the collections of museums around the world and can still be found in the royal homes of Europe.
Two cabinetmakers, Stephen Taprell and William Holland, opened a small joinery in 1815 near Buckingham Palace in London, England, and named it Taprell & Holland. Holland was a relative of the acclaimed Regency architect Henry Holland, the famous gardener and landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown, and the former Member of Parliament Richard Bateman-Robson. This familial edge provided the needed influence for the company among the aristocracy, and their business saw immediate prosperity.
The firm traded under the name Taprell, Holland & Son for a period, and when Taprell retired in 1843, Holland took over the company and changed the name to Holland & Sons. Holland decided to diversify and began offering a broad range of services to the very wealthy — arranging furniture and household decoration rentals, managing funerals and even providing plumbing services. By 1851, they employed over 350 people.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned Holland & Sons to supply the entire furnishings of their private homes — Osborne House, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House and Marlborough House. The Monarch’s satisfaction with Holland and Son’s furnishings led to the company being granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment, affording the owners the opportunity to display the coveted “By Appointment of HM The Queen” mark and her Coat of Arms above the entrance to their offices.
Other Holland & Sons furniture commissions of note include the London Union Club, the Athenaeum Hotel in London, Arundel Castle in West Essex and the All Souls College in Oxford. The firm was also involved in the funerals of Prince Albert and the mother of Queen Victoria — both in 1861 — and contributed works to the 1901 coronation of Edward VII when they made the throne for his wife, Queen Alexandra.
On 1stDibs, find antique Holland & Sons tables, cabinets, seating and more.
H 29.73 in W 71.66 in D 47.45 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 ...
Leather, Hardwood
H 31.25 in W 47.25 in D 25.75 in
Classical Faux Porphyry Library Table
Located in New York, NY
Classical faux porphyry library table Northern European, 19th century Measures: Height 31 1/4 in, width 47 1/4 in, depth 25 3/4 in. 2206.
Wood
H 27.56 in W 48.04 in D 24.02 in
William IV Library Table in Coromandel
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
William IV library table Produced in England in the Mid-19th Century this is a extremely rare example produced in Coramandel having solid dra...
Wood
H 30 in W 69 in D 60 in
Substantial 19th Century Figured Burr Walnut Partners' Desk by Holland & Sons
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Substantial Walnut Partners' Desk By Holland & Sons A fully fitted partners desk with identical arrangements to both sides, constructed using finely figured walnut and with a tool...
Leather, Walnut
H 28.5 in W 36 in D 23 in
Victorian Writing Table Mahogany Desk Holland and Sons 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Mahogany 2 drawer writing table. Circa 1870 This writing table comes with the makers mark of Holland and Sons The writing table is raised upon ring turned legs with original brass ca...
Mahogany
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
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...
Hardwood
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk - C. 1870
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Presenting an exquisite Victorian Burr and Figured Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk dating back to approximately 1870. This charming piece exudes age and character, making it a ra...
Walnut
H 29.5 in W 39 in D 23.5 in
French Louis XIII Style Oak Barley Twist Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fine 19th century French carved oak library table, or writing table desk made in the grand Louis XIII taste. Features thick barley twist legs conjoined on the bottom with barley twis...
Oak
H 30.12 in W 48.43 in D 22.25 in
Fine Victorian Jas Shoolbred Green Marble Topped Watchmakers Desk Writing Table
By Jas Schoolbred
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original Victorian circa 1880 James Jas Shoolbred Watchmakers table / desk with green ...
Marble, Brass
H 31 in W 51.75 in D 31 in
19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Marble Top Library Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand French 19th century library table, writing table, or bureau plat featuring an Italian Carrara marble top inset. Crafted in the neoclassical Louis XVI taste, the frieze is decorated on each side with strands of delicate bell flowers centered by floral reserves. The corners have carved rosettes and are supported by fluted legs having acanthus tops. The legs are conjoined by gracefully curved stretchers centered with an acanthus finial...
Carrara Marble
Mechanical Desk by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in New Orleans, LA
This superb mechanical desk by famed French ebeniste Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley is both an artistic and engineering achievement. A Parisian ca...
Other
Louis XV Style Writing Desk by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing desk by François Linke, the most important French ébéniste of his time. Linke is celeb...
Bronze
Regency Library Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This handsome Regency library desk is crafted of rich mahogany and features the straightforward design prevalent in England during the early 19th ...
Leather, Mahogany
Regency-Style Mahogany Library Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This timeless mahogany Regency-style library desk features refined design elements prevalent in England during the early 19th century. Lockable drawers with elegant brass hardware pr...
Brass
Blue John Table By Royal Marble Works
Located in New Orleans, LA
This monumental table is a rare masterpiece of English furniture, custom-made by the Royal Marble Works for an important titled estate. Its striking design combines stunning Blue Joh...
Stone, Marble
Regency-Style Mahogany Leather-Topped Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of rich mahogany, this library table displays all of the sophistication Regency-era furnishings are known for. This table features a straightforward design with beautifully c...
Brass
Perhaps best known as a Revolutionary War hero, Revere was also an accomplished silversmith, and this pot is now available on 1stDibs.
Discovered in Parisian cabarets, the performers reenergized the artist’s practice.
