RARE ORIGINAL ViCTORIAN HOWARD SONS BRIDGEWATER ARMCHAIR PERIOD UPHOLSTERY

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.

Howard Chairs Ltd, an iteration of the legendary English furniture firm Howard Sons Ltd, created luxurious seating to fit just about any taste.

Established by cabinetmaker John Howard on Leman street in London in 1820, the company was later named Howard Sons Ltd when John’s son, George, was brought into the fold — the moniker by which the company is best known. Between 1820 and 1848, the company moved their operations numerous times, broadening their range of offerings as they went and growing increasingly popular with Victorian-era consumers.

Ever-adaptable, Howard Sons Ltd won a patent in 1865 for a method of applying a veneer to walls in place of wallpaper. Later, the firm applied their veneering technique to wooden floors and introduced parquet flooring into their branding. They added more patents over the years, including ceilings and floors finished in their veneering. Howard Sons Ltd exhibited and won awards in the 1878 International Expo in Paris, the 1894 Expo in Antwerp and the 1900 Paris International Exposition.

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, explore vintage Howard Chairs Ltd settees, armchairs and case pieces.