Howard and Sons are widely known as the makers of the most comfortable seating in the world, the Queen is reputed to have the largest private collection. This is an original early edition, made with solid walnut throughout, the upholstery is thick leather which has been Chesterfield tufted and hand nail tacked in place using antique studs. The piece has the two exposed support beams to the base, something you only find on antique Howard seating, it also has the Cope & Collinson stamped castors, Copes were the only company Howard authorised to make their castors as they could make them to the exact required specification. The piece has been fully restored as mentioned, two of the legs had horrific worm damage, as such they had to be removed to make sure the worm didnt spread to the frame, Ive had new legs made from slabs of antique Victorian walnut, they have been turned to the exact measurements of the other legs so you could never tell they have been replaced, all the legs have been washed back and French polished from the ground up, the leather has been washed back to the base colour which was light olive, its then been hand dyed this glorious Regency gentlemans club cigar brown. Seat height:- 35cm. Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. 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 addresses 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 premesis since 1909). Lenygon and Morant later moved to South Audley St where from 1954 they advertised as’Makers of Howard Chairs and Sofas’. In 1967 the owners of Lenygon and Morant open Howard Chairs Limited, the company operating from Lyme St continue to make high quality sofas and armchairs. Exhibitions and Important Houses: At the 1862 International Exhibition (The 3rd World Expo) Howard and Sons entered a suite of library furniture for which they won a prize. They also went on to exhibit at the Paris World’s Fair, called an Exposition Universelle twice; once in 1878 and again in 1900. Also, at the Exposition Internationale d’Anvers 1894 (International Exposition/World Fair Antwerp). Winning Prizes at them all including 1 silver and 2 golds. They also employed their eclectic styles working for many important clients providing furniture for important houses such as Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, Elton Hall, Huntingdonshire and Stokesay Court, Shropshire. The item “RESTORED VICTORIAN HOWARD & SON’S CHESTERFIELD BROWN LEATHER CORNER SOFA CHAISE” is in sale since Monday, August 30, 2021. This item is in the category “Antiques\Antique Furniture\Sofas & Chaises”. The seller is “royal-house-antiques” and is located in Pulborough. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Colour: Brown
- Department: Baby
- Item Height: 85 CM
- Item Width: 185 CM
- Assembly Required: No
- Pattern: Solid
- Type: Sofa
- Seating Capacity: Up to 4
- Brand: HOWARD & SON’S
- Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
- Style: Victorian
- Additional Parts Required: No
- Material: Leather
- Theme: Luxury
- Antique: Yes
- Item Length: DEPTH 125 CM
- Room: Any Room
