Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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.
19th Century English Victorian Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Other
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Ebony
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Early 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Stainless Steel
1860s Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Beech
19th Century English Regency Antique Howard Sons Ltd Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Howard Sons Ltd office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, 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, 2022To 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.